Men more likely to be stressed at work than women
A new survey has suggested that men are four times more likely than women to phone in sick due to work-related stress.
The survey was carried out by Medicash, a healthcare cashplan provider, of 3,000 workers. In the survey, 20% of men admitted to taking two sick days in the past month because of stress.
The survey also showed that twice as many men as women drink because of work related stress. One in five men said they needed to drink after work most days.
31% of women and 24% of men said they often feel stressed. Women felt dealing with difficult customers as the most common cause of their stress whereas men felt the most likely cause for their stress was a heavy workload. Outside of work, both men and women claimed rudeness and bad manners as the reasons most likely to get them worked up.
In respect of syptoms of stress, headaches were cited as number one for both sexes. 69% of women suffered from headaches compared to 45% of men. 57% of women and 40% of men also reported problems with sleeping.
Medicash chief executive Sue Weir said: “Small amounts of pressure at work can enhance our performance but if that pressure becomes unremitting it can seriously affect our health. Regularly feeling stressed can lead to sickness, long-term absenteeism and even a dependence on alcohol or drugs. Incorporating healthy eating and exercise into your daily routine and talking to someone about how you feel can help towards counteracting the effects of stress.”
The top five triggers for stress revealed by the survey were as follows:
For women:
1. Dealing with difficult clients/customers
2. Heavy workload
3. Computer freezing in the middle of an important job
4. Boss demanding too much extra work
5. Computer taking too long to get going
For men:
1. Heavy workload
2. Boss demanding too much extra work
3. Dealing with difficult clients/customers
4. Computer freezing in the middle of an important job
5. Boss asking for work to be done which is outside job description
Sue Weir added: “Workplace stress can be damaging on any level, affecting both the employee and employer. Bosses have a duty of care and responsibility to look after their workforce and have systems in place to address stress at work.
“Encouraging a work/life balance, having open channels of communication between staff and managers, and providing access to counselling services are some of the things employers can do to combat stress.”
Posted by Anil Champaneri
