Workload, Balancing Work And Private Lives Are Leading Job Stressors

Approximately two-thirds of office workers in the United States (66 percent) and even more in the United Kingdom (77 percent) report that their workload—the amount of work they are responsible for within assigned deadlines—is the greatest cause of stress in the workplace, according to a workplace stress survey released today by Kensington Technology Group, a computer accessories firm.

The Kensington Stress Survey reveals that trying to balance work and private lives is the second greatest cause of workplace stress in the United States. Fifty-six percent of American workers cited managing the balance of work and private lives as a stressor versus 44 percent of British workers. American women more often than men report feeling stressed trying to reach a balance between work and private life (60 percent vs. 51 percent).

The survey also reports that 60 percent of Americans and 72 percent of British office workers experience some kind of musculoskeletal pain at least once a week. This may include eye, back, neck, shoulder or wrist pain. "It is common for workplace stress of any kind to manifest itself as physical symptoms," said Dr. Michael Feuerstein, professor at Georgetown University Medical Center. "For example, workload stress may be the root source of one's musculoskeletal pain. If you're stressed over your workload you may take fewer breaks, hit your computer keys with more force, and tense your muscles as you work"

Interestingly, while the majority of office workers are experiencing pain on a regular basis, 83 percent of Americans and 70 percent of British respondents surveyed still reported that they are satisfied with the overall comfort and design of their work area. According to Dr. Feuerstein, this may indicate that employees are not fully aware of both the impact job stress has on their overall workstyle and the tools available to make their work station more comfortable.

"No matter what the source of job stress is, one simple measure workers can take to reduce the physical impact is to outfit their work areas with adjustable equipment and ergonomically designed computer accessories," says Feuerstein. "Adjustability is critical since workers come in different shapes and sizes, and even the same worker will be more comfortable if he or she can adjust equipment on a regular basis to suit changing needs."

Tom Russo, vice president of the accessories division at Kensington Technology Group, says the survey results point to the importance of using the right computer accessories. "While workloads and balancing work and private life are the top two workplace stressors, nearly one in three office workers experiences stress due to the design and layout of their workspace," he says. "Using well-designed accessories is now more than ever becoming a necessity to make workspaces more comfortable and to improve productivity."

Steps for Coping with Stress
The Kensington Stress Survey also looked at different methods for coping with job stress. American office workers said most often that they take a break or leave work (28%) when they feel stressed. Twelve percent do nothing. In general, the survey found that office workers do not deal directly with the source of their stress.

According to Feuerstein, the findings related to employee reaction to stress on the job suggest the need to educate workers that they have options available to eliminate or reduce stress at work. Feuerstein emphasizes that, "Effective reduction of stress in the workplace requires a team effort. Management, co-workers and supervisors must work together to identify sources of stress and problem solve to eliminate or reduce their presence."

Coping with stress and possibly reducing the chance for long term injury in the workplace may be handled with a three-step process of monitoring for signs of stress, looking for the sources of stress and developing and implementing an action plan, according to Feuerstein.

Dr. Feuerstein says to better deal with job related stress:

Monitor Signs

• Pay Attention to Discomfort (Particularly in Your Eyes, Back, Neck, Shoulders and Wrists)
• Use These Early Warning Signals as a Call to Action

Look For Sources

• High Work Volume
• Frequent Deadlines
• Conflicts in Balancing Work and Private Life

Develop A Plan

• Modify Sources of Workload Stress (Talk to your co-workers and supervisors directly)
• Ensure Your Workstation is Ergonomically Correct
• Take Care of Your Health by Receiving Proper Sleep, Nutrition and Exercise
• Use Your Support Network by Talking to Your Family and FriendsM