Workplace Stress on the Increase…and We're Taking it Home
Preliminary UK results of an international business stress survey conducted by aggression and stress management specialists, Protectics Limited, indicate that workplace stress may be on the increase. Two thirds of respondents believe their individual stress levels have increased or remained static over the past three years, with only 32% reporting a reduction. The survey results suggest that more than a third of British workers are ‘stressed’ in their jobs, with 10% suffering from considerable stress. What’s more, 60% of those experiencing stress say they feel the effects at work and at home.
(PRWEB) September 7, 2004 -- Preliminary UK results of an international business stress survey conducted by aggression and stress management specialists, Protectics Limited, indicate that workplace stress may be on the increase. Two thirds of respondents believe their individual stress levels have increased or remained static over the past three years, with only 32% reporting a reduction. The survey results suggest that more than a third of British workers are ‘stressed’ in their jobs, with 10% suffering from considerable stress. What’s more, 60% of those experiencing stress say they feel the effects at work and at home.
Perhaps most worryingly, when asked how the feelings they experienced were manifest, an alarming 60% of people who experience some level of stress don’t cope well with it. While some choose to ignore the stress they are under, 22% report some level of depression and an alarming 29% say they “get aggressive”.
When the respondents were asked what “stresses” them most at work, the majority (55%) put it down to being overworked or not having enough time. For 41% simply being listened to or treated fairly would bring their stress levels down. Employers will be pleased to learn that only a tiny 3.5% blame poor pay.
Commenting on the survey results Robert Agar-Hutton, the founder of Protectics and author of How to Deal with Verbal Aggression, said, “These are worrying results for individuals and for British businesses. Some level of stress is quite normal and for some individuals it is a prerequisite however the inappropriate reactions to stress, particularly depression and aggression, lead invariably to poor business performance and can result in a crisis from which the individual concerned may not fully recover.
“The ways in which people deal with stress can be categorized as non-coping strategies (getting depressed, ignoring stress, getting aggressive) and coping strategies (relaxing, stress management techniques) - 60% of people do not use coping strategies. This may well be explained by the fact that knowledge of and training in stress management techniques, in a formal business setting, is a relatively recent practice - most people have to try and cope with whatever personal resources they have.
For some, those resources are inadequate and the particularly worrying statistic is that 29% of respondents stated that they get aggressive. This is always a poor response to stress. It can actually lead to increased stress (often for others) and reduced business performance.“
Aggression and violence in the workplace, either verbal or physical, is unacceptable and employees have a right to safety. Employers have a duty (both legal and moral) to provide a safe working environment but they can take heart from the fact that these are issues that can be addressed without throwing huge sums of money at the problem. It’s clear that wholesale pay rises will achieve very little. What is required is a change in management practices and guidance for workers on coping with stressful situations in the workplace.”
Stress is fast becoming the number one concern amongst business owners, managers, staff and Unions. However most research seems to concentrate on one industry segment and a fairly narrow geographical sample. The Protectics Stress Survey is an ongoing project to examine stress levels internationally. To date responses have been received from individuals in the following countries: The United Kingdom, Bangladesh, the United States of America, Canada, Nepal, Oman, Malaysia, Ireland, Australia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Botswana, Belgium, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Although not yet statistically significant the results to date from other countries broadly mirror those from the UK.
Source: PRWeb - 7th September 2004
(PRWEB) September 7, 2004 -- Preliminary UK results of an international business stress survey conducted by aggression and stress management specialists, Protectics Limited, indicate that workplace stress may be on the increase. Two thirds of respondents believe their individual stress levels have increased or remained static over the past three years, with only 32% reporting a reduction. The survey results suggest that more than a third of British workers are ‘stressed’ in their jobs, with 10% suffering from considerable stress. What’s more, 60% of those experiencing stress say they feel the effects at work and at home.
Perhaps most worryingly, when asked how the feelings they experienced were manifest, an alarming 60% of people who experience some level of stress don’t cope well with it. While some choose to ignore the stress they are under, 22% report some level of depression and an alarming 29% say they “get aggressive”.
When the respondents were asked what “stresses” them most at work, the majority (55%) put it down to being overworked or not having enough time. For 41% simply being listened to or treated fairly would bring their stress levels down. Employers will be pleased to learn that only a tiny 3.5% blame poor pay.
Commenting on the survey results Robert Agar-Hutton, the founder of Protectics and author of How to Deal with Verbal Aggression, said, “These are worrying results for individuals and for British businesses. Some level of stress is quite normal and for some individuals it is a prerequisite however the inappropriate reactions to stress, particularly depression and aggression, lead invariably to poor business performance and can result in a crisis from which the individual concerned may not fully recover.
“The ways in which people deal with stress can be categorized as non-coping strategies (getting depressed, ignoring stress, getting aggressive) and coping strategies (relaxing, stress management techniques) - 60% of people do not use coping strategies. This may well be explained by the fact that knowledge of and training in stress management techniques, in a formal business setting, is a relatively recent practice - most people have to try and cope with whatever personal resources they have.
For some, those resources are inadequate and the particularly worrying statistic is that 29% of respondents stated that they get aggressive. This is always a poor response to stress. It can actually lead to increased stress (often for others) and reduced business performance.“
Aggression and violence in the workplace, either verbal or physical, is unacceptable and employees have a right to safety. Employers have a duty (both legal and moral) to provide a safe working environment but they can take heart from the fact that these are issues that can be addressed without throwing huge sums of money at the problem. It’s clear that wholesale pay rises will achieve very little. What is required is a change in management practices and guidance for workers on coping with stressful situations in the workplace.”
Stress is fast becoming the number one concern amongst business owners, managers, staff and Unions. However most research seems to concentrate on one industry segment and a fairly narrow geographical sample. The Protectics Stress Survey is an ongoing project to examine stress levels internationally. To date responses have been received from individuals in the following countries: The United Kingdom, Bangladesh, the United States of America, Canada, Nepal, Oman, Malaysia, Ireland, Australia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Botswana, Belgium, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Although not yet statistically significant the results to date from other countries broadly mirror those from the UK.
Source: PRWeb - 7th September 2004
posted by Carole Spiers @ Thursday, September 09, 2004
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