Is Your Job Killing You?

Job stress is a normal part of life, perhaps more so in high-pressure situations such as sales, transportation, factory work and health care. Too much happening at work could seep into someone's personal life, but companies can help reduce risk factors that may cause added stress at the office.

A Huffington Post article states people are more likely to die from job stress than second-hand smoke filled with carcinogens. Companies, as well as employees, can both be instruments of change in the workplace to reduce risk factors that could lead to serious medical and psychological problems.

Some employees feel as if they have no control over their jobs. Managers and executives should create a culture where all ideas from employees are valued. Bosses need to find a balance between rewarding initiative and explaining why a certain idea cannot be implemented. Even acknowledging a good idea from an employee can alleviate job stress.

Unemployment is a cruel reality of a contemporary job market. As such, companies should be prepared to help employees if downsizing becomes an issue. Firms can connect with recruiters, employment agencies and outplacement services to assist job seekers during rough times.

Health insurance has been a huge topic in American politics since 2010. Companies may be unwilling to offer this kind of benefit due to the enormous expenses involved, even though studies show healthier workers are happier workers. Peace of mind with health insurance helps get rid of job stress for families who rely on access to good health care.

Long hours at the office affects salaried employees the most since companies may not offer comp time for extra work hours. Burnout can lead to feeling overburdened at work. Without frequent breaks or respites from the daily grind, business professionals could make bad decisions based on job stress, lack of focus and too much time away from home. Employees need to be mentally ready for work, so companies should not place burdensome schedules on salaried individuals.

A work-life balance can become a struggle for both mothers and fathers who want to spend more time with their children. Companies should offer fringe benefits such as telecommuting, job sharing, flexible hours and compressed work weeks to give families a break. Instead of working five days a week for eight hours each day, firms can create a four-day work week with 10 hours per day. Employees who can work effectively from home are just as valuable as those who report to the office every morning at 7:55 a.m.

The overall key to alleviating job stress comes from a dialogue between a firm and its human capital. After the conversations start, a company's culture can change when the firm realizes the human component is its most valuable asset.

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