• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, December 6, 2003

You're Not Getting Your Money's Worth

According to the StressPulse survey by ComPsych Corporation Employees in the category of "high stress" have increased by 15 percent. The survey revealed more than 29 percent of employees come to work five or more days a year when they are too stressed or distracted to be effective - a 10 percent increase over six months ago. In addition, the survey showed a 13 percent increase in 'lack of job security' as the main source of stress.

"The levels (of stress) employees are dealing with now are counterproductive," said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, chairman and CEO of ComPsych. "What we are seeing is a workplace situation that is incongruent with the economic rebound. The recovery has brought more work, yet there are few new hires and fewer pay raises."

ComPsych's StressPulse Results - Second Half, 2003
Stress Levels

63% Have high levels of stress, with extreme fatigue/feeling out of control

32% Have constant but manageable stress levels

5% Have low stress levels
Work Priorities

60% See accomplishing basic responsibilities as most important

22% See being present as most important

18% See performance improvement as most important
Productivity

43% Lose 1 hour or more per day in productivity due to stress

36% Lose 15 - 30 min. per day in productivity due to stress

21% Report productivity is unaffected by stress
Effectiveness

48 % Come to work 1 to 4 days per year when too stressed to be effective

29% Come to work 5 or more days per year when too stressed to be effective

23% Say stress does not impact effectiveness
Personal Tasks

38% Lose 30 min. per day due to personal tasks

36% Lose less than 30 min. per day due to personal tasks

26% Lose more than 1 hour per day due to personal tasks
Absences

37% Cite stress and personal relationship issues

25% Cite medical reasons/illness (self)

28% Cite caregiving responsibilities
Coping

64% Take frequent "stress breaks" at work to talk with others

24% Work harder

12% Take a day off

The StressPulse survey was conducted from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1, 2003.