Organizational Behavior - Workplace Stress/Cultural Understanding *URGENT*

Reinventing America

The workforce, the workplace, and the future of both.

Survey: 42% Of Employees Have

Changed Jobs Due To Stress

Apr 18, 2014, 07:00am EDT

Kathryn Dill Former Staff

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"I can't take this another second--I quit!"

We've all threatened it, but a new survey shows that a significant number of employees

have actually made good on their declarations. A survey conducted by employment search

site Monster.com of nearly 7,000 U.S. workers found that while a less-than-surprising

35% had contemplated leaving a job to flee a stressful work environment, a more

significant number--42%--had "purposely" left a position because of such a workplace.

"People feel stressed out because there’s that continuing pressure to do more with less.

Workers feel pressure to get more accomplished," says Mary Ellen Slayter, Career Advice

Expert at Monster. "People know they’re not happy, but they’re not clear on whether or

not it would be better somewhere else. "

A separate survey of more than 900 workers found that an employee's relationship with

their boss is the most common cause of workplace stress, followed closely by workload,

work-life balance, and relationships with coworkers.

Nearly half of employees surveyed report having missed time at work due to work-related

stress, and an even greater number, 61%, say that workplace stress has caused them actual

physical illness, with insomnia, depression, and family issues cited as results.

Seven percent of employees report having been hospitalized as the result of work-related

stress.

The study does not differentiate between different types of workplace stressors, for

example, an accountant's increased workload during tax season versus an overbearing

supervisor, focusing instead on the results of stress as observed by employees.

A survey conducted by employment search site Monster.com of nearly 7,000 U.S. workers found that while a less-than-surprising 35% had contemplated leaving a job to �ee a stressful work environment, a more signi�cant number--42%--had "purposely" left a position because of such a workplace.

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How do workers cope with these situations? About how you might imagine. Most report

talking to a friend or loved one after work, many turn to exercise to blow off steam, and

roughly a third of those surveyed highlight taking a short break, taking a day off, or eating

to relieve stress. Winning points for honesty, a solid quarter of those surveyed report

drinking.

But while employees seem certain of the tangible manifestations of workplace stress in

their lives, those surveyed seem less convinced of their employers' awareness of--or

concern over--the issue. Asked "What does your office do to help alleviate stress in the

workplace?", 13% noted additional time off and 11% cited the opportunity to work from

home, but the majority, 66%, answered "nothing."

Slayter says those who find themselves regularly overwhelmed to a level that's unbearable

might want to contemplate a job--or career--switch, to something that makes better use of

their talents or involves fewer tasks that cause distress.

"Make sure that overall your career is a good fit," says Slater. "If you find yourself thinking

that every day is stressful, if everyday is unpleasant, if it feels like that chronically, its time

to sit down and ask yourself, 'Is this the right fit?'"

Follow me on Twitter @KathrynDill.

Kathryn Dill

I joined the staff of Forbes in 2013, covering leadership topics and researching the world’s wealthiest

individuals for the Forbes 400 and World’s Billionaires lists… Read More

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