In the last 20 years, jobs have become less secure and more demanding and time-consuming, according to the Families and Work Institute. Especially in troubled economic times, when employees are asked to do more with fewer resources, patience and peace of mind can wear thin. But even in boom times, the modern ways of work wreak havoc on the mental well-being of many workers. It's hard to settle into a routine if you keep having to do other things. In the end, though, worker stress stems from many other factors than just the job itself.
Experts say most employees have problems balancing work with the rest of their lives.
It has all merged into one big issue. Any strategy for relieving worker stress, then, should address all facets of the employee's life, experts say. They have too much caffeine, they smoke, don't eat well, don't have a circle of friends and don't do anything fun. Although handling stress is often a personal issue, some businesses are also starting to see how burned-out workers affect their bottom line. Another study published in the most recent issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology shows a link between job stress and illnesses associated with viral or bacterial infections.