1. Stress in the Workplace
Cuyahoga County Health Alliance
Presented by:
Swan Khanna-Salehi,
Clinical Manager

2. Some Statistics

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People report…
44% of Americans feel more stressed than they did 5 years ago
1 in 5 Americans report “Extreme Stress” – Shaking, Heart Palpitations, Depression
56.3% of employees report stress has caused difficulty focusing on tasks
Over 14% report missing days at work or being late due to stress
21% report stress has caused them to make errors or miss deadlines
Stress-related ailments costs the nation $300 billion every year in medical bills and lost productivity
75 -90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related illness/disease
Stress is the basic cause of 60% of all human illness/disease
40% of stressed people overeat or eat unhealthy foods
44% of stressed people lose sleep every night
Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide
Sources: "

4. Why it matters

5. Stress impacts… Overall Employee Health – Insurance Costs5
Stress impacts…
Overall Employee Health – Insurance Costs
Performance Management
Productivity Levels
Absenteeism
Presenteeism
Morale
Engagement
Focus
Risk Management – Safety – Workplace Violence
Substance Use/Abuse

6. Workplace issues highly affected by stress…6
Workplace issues highly affected by stress…
Health Care:
82% of employers report health care costs are significantly or moderately affected by worker stress.
Absenteeism:
70% of employers report significant or moderate affect by worker stress.
Workplace Safety:
77% of employers cited significant or moderate impact from stress.
Source: “Stress in the Workplace,” Buck Consultants Survey, worldatwork.org.

7. What you can do

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What can you do?
Be sure middle management is trained for awareness of performance issues; monitoring and regular interaction with employees
Encourage use of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Implement wellness programming that promotes overall wellness and teaches practical stress management techniques
Review HR policies addressing flexibility, PTO, attendance, FMLA

9. What other organizations are doing to address workplace stress…9
78% say the most common resource used to address stress is their EAP. EAPs help employees deal with personal problems that may negatively affect work performance and overall well-being.
46% offer work-life balance programs
45% offer leadership training on worker stress
45% offer on-site healthy lifestyle programs
43% offer a fitness center
38% offer physical activity programs
35% have stress awareness campaigns
30% offer financial management classes
29% offer personal health/lifestyle management coaching
Source: “Stress in the Workplace,” Buck Consultants Survey, worldatwork.org.

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A Natural Partnership
Stress management and wellness initiatives go hand-in-hand.
When planning wellness programs, be sure to include some practical suggestions for stress management.
A recent study presented in Mental Health Works, Fourth Quarter 2012, offered the following suggestions for programming that can be implemented to teach employees how to care for the self in terms of stress reduction methods:

11. Stress Management Toolbox11
Stress Management Toolbox
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
An approach used to assist in changing negative thoughts, thus changing the emotional state. A study showed that burnout was related to irrational thinking and by disarming irrational beliefs, you can foster professional growth and decrease workplace stress.

12. Stress Management Toolbox12
Stress Management Toolbox
Positive Psychology
A relatively new field of psychology that teaches learned optimism. The idea is that a capacity for happiness and well-being can be cultivated through gratitude journaling.

13. Stress Management Toolbox13
Stress Management Toolbox
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
An approach that promotes nonjudgmental awareness of moment-to-moment sensations, experiences and reactions. MBSR uses meditation techniques that promote relaxation and stress reduction.

14. Stress Management Toolbox14
Stress Management Toolbox
The Relaxation Response
Another highly effective tool closely related to MBSR that reduces stress. The relaxation response is a state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress – decreases heart rate, blood pressure, rate of breathing and muscle tension.

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