Is the Workplace More Stressful Than Just Five Years Ago?
February 21, 2020 – If you find yourself feeling nostalgic about a former job, there may be a good reason for it: A new Korn Ferry survey suggests that today’s workplace has become increasingly stressful compared to recent years past. Increased work demands, bad bosses and changes in leadership are creating an ever more stressful work environment for professionals. The report sought to determine just how stressful employees find their workplaces and how that stress affects them.
The vast majority (88 percent) of professionals said that compared to five years ago, the stress level in their workplace is higher, with 51 percent saying it is much higher. Ninety percent of respondents said they’ve lost sleep because of work stressors; more than a third (34 percent) said stress has gotten so bad that they have called in sick; and even more serious, 34 percent said they’ve had to quit due to stress on the job.
The top stressor for professionals on the job, according to the survey, is too heavy of a workload (41 percent), followed by their boss at 28 percent.
“A bad boss and too heavy of a workload often go hand-in-hand,” said Bryan Ackermann, managing partner, Korn Ferry advance and digitized services. “While it’s important to accomplish tasks and achieve organizational goals, it’s up to both the employee and their supervisor to manage workloads and focus on what will create the best outcomes, including getting rid of non-effective ‘to-do’ tasks.”
Creating Additional Stress
Organizational shifts are also big stressors for professionals, as 93 percent of respondents said that a change in top leadership, such as a new CEO or division head, creates additional stress.
“The key to managing through organizational change is to be transparent and open about how it will impact the business and employees – explain the ‘why’ behind the changes and what plans are for the future,” said Mr. Ackermann.
Stressed and Burned Out, Workers Forego Vacations
American workers are stressed out and burned out but they refuse to take time out, according to a recent CareerBuilder survey. In fact, three of five workers (61 percent) polled in their recent study claimed they are burned out in their job. A third (33 percent) said their work has them under high or extremely high levels of stress.
The survey also found work and home stress are intertwined. The vast majority (93 percent) of respondents said stress at work has a negative impact on their personal relationships. Conversely, 74 percent said that stress at home has a negative impact on their work productivity.
Related: Achieving Work/Life Balance Sometimes Means Working Weekends
“Between work, family and other responsibilities, it’s no wonder why we live in such a stressed-out environment,” said Mr. Ackermann. “The key for company leaders is to understand that the mental health of their employees is just as important as their physical health. They must take steps to create a work environment where employees thrive.”
Survey Responses
Compared to 5 years ago, what is the stress level in your workplace?
Much higher 51 percent
Somewhat higher 37 percent
Somewhat lower 10 percent
Much lower 2 percent
Has stress at your job ever gotten so bad that you’ve had to quit?
Yes 34 percent
No 66 percent
Has stress on the job ever caused you to call in sick?
Yes 34 percent
No 66 percent
How often do you lose sleep due to work stressors?
Never 10 percent
Occasionally 56 percent
Often 34 percent
What is more stressful?
Too much work 69 percent
Not enough work/feeling I am not adding value 31 percent
How much do you agree that stress in the workplace has had a negative impact on your personal relationships?
To a great extent 46 percent
To some extent 47 percent
To no extent 7 percent
If you had to pick one, what would you say is your biggest stressor at work?
Your boss 28 percent
Co-workers 12 percent
Not knowing how to do your job as expected 13 percent
Too heavy of a workload 41 percent
Low salary 2 percent
Long commute 3 percent
Compared to 5 years ago, what is the stress level in your workplace?
Much higher 51 percent
Somewhat higher 37 percent
Somewhat lower 10 percent
Much lower 2 percent
If someone or something is stressing you out at work, how likely are you to confide in a co-worker
Highly likely 22 percent
Somewhat likely 38 percent
Somewhat unlikely 20 percent
Highly unlikely 19 percent
If it’s unlikely that you will confide in a co-worker about something that’s stressing you out at work, what is the top reason?
I’m afraid they’ll record me and I’ll get in trouble 10 percent
It’s none of their business 57 percent
I’m afraid they’ll tell my boss or HR 33 percent
How much does a change in organizational leadership (e.g. new CEO or head of your division) impact your stress level?
To a great extent 42 percent
To some extent 51 percent
To no extent 7 percent
Would you agree with the following? Stress at home has negative impact on my work productivity.
To a great extent 20 percent
To some extent 54 percent
To no extent 27 percent
Related: Work-Life Balance Matters, But Does It Matter Most?
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media