Nearly two-thirds of professionals say their stress levels at work are higher than they were five years ago. There are many factors that cause increased stress levels at work, including keeping up with changes in technology, increased workloads and interpersonal conflict.
A survey of nearly 2,000 professionals asked about the impact workplace stress had on them:
76%, say stress at work has had a negative impact on their personal relationships
66% say they have lost sleep due to work stress
16%, say they’ve had to quit a job due to stress
The largest source of current stress reported was bosses.
35% of the respondents said their boss is their biggest source of stress at work
80% said a change in leadership, such as a new direct manager or someone higher up the organizational chart, impacts their stress levels
The survey results are more confirmation of stress increasing in the workplace. Indeed, employee stress levels have risen nearly 20% in three decades. Among the top reasons for the increased stress over time are the threat of losing a job to technology and the pressure to learn new skills just to stay employed.
Stress impairs motivation with only 30% of workers saying they are highly engaged in their jobs.
According to a 2017 study by Gallup, only 15% of workers say they are highly involved in and enthusiastic about their work and workplace.
Organizations can take steps to help reduce stress, such as offering training on new technologies and development for managers on how best to lead. Leaders can restructure firms to dismantle anxiety-causing top-down corporate structures and eliminate authoritarian leadership styles.
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