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The cost of uncontrolled stress to American business is high, exceeding 200 billion dollars each year as a result of drug and alcohol abuse, absenteeism, medical expenses, excessive turnover and lost productivity causing decreased effectiveness on the job. Twenty three percent of American workers say they have been driven to tears because of workplace stress. A new term, DESK RAGE has emerged as a result of work stress and office violence. A survey of 1,305 U. S. workers shows that one in ten workers say employees have come to blows because of stress at work. Forty two percent say there’s yelling and verbal abuse in their offices. One in five have quit a job because of stress.
Other research has found that 34 percent of American workers loose sleep, 11 percent drink heavily and 16 percent smoke excessively. According to the American Academy of Family Practice two thirds of the people who visit family doctors suffer from stress related illness. The National Safety Council estimates that 1 million employees are absent on an average workday because of stress-related problems. Dr. Herbert Freudenberger, the man who coined the term BURNOUT believes that as much as 75% of the population feels "transitory symptoms" of burnout. With all these statistics it is no wonder that The World Health Organization described stress as a "world wide epidemic" and a United Nations report called job stress "the 20th century disease." The question is what are you and your organization doing about STRESS?
A two year study of 1,300 employees at Northwestern National Life Insurance Company showed that illness resulting from work place stress and job burnout can be reduced. It was also learned that by providing stress management programs to employees it is perceived that the company cares about them which will reduce turnover as employees rate work environment more important than financial rewards.
Equitable Life Assurance of New York estimated they saved $5.52 for every $ 1.00 invested in stress management. Managing stress saves you money, increases the quality of life and productivity for your employees. Everyone comes out winning. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." In a study at SCI Insurance Group it was found that relaxation training lowered health care costs by 50% to 68%.
Learning how to manage stress is not only a cost effective business decision, but fulfills a humanistic need which builds loyalty and commitment toward the organization. Employees are being asked to do more, work longer hours and take on more responsibility. They are not taught how to prepare for and handle the additional stressors or how to maximize focus and minimize distraction and agitation.With the on set of new technology like cell phones, beepers, faxes, lap tops, employees have less away time which makes it very important to learn how to let go, disconnect and relax when there is an opportunity.
Learning how to manage your mind will help you manage your stress. Recognize what things trigger your stress response and then plan a coping strategy. For instance I will ask "How many people in this seminar get up tight in traffic"? Every one raises their hand.
Then I say, "is there anyone who can do anything about traffic"? No one raises their hand. So if you can’t do anything about traffic, why continue to let it bother you. Enjoy listening to music or an audio book or use the time to take deep breaths and release stress. Get back in control and don’t allow situations to take away your power or peace.
For the past 27 years I have been designing stress management programs for business, industry, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement and non-profit organizations. I have given one hour lectures, half day, one day and two day programs. The most effective way to teach a stress management program is over a period of time which gives participants the opportunity to set goals, plan change and work with new ideas. They also create the time to practice relaxation daily by listening to an audio tape. After a week we come back together to evaluate progress and set new goals. The key to success in this program is a combination of education, motivation, follow up and support.
It is also very important for management to participate in and support stress management programs while integrating these new concepts into the corporate culture. Progressive companies like Acacia Life Insurance of Bethesda, Md. and PT&C a public relations firm in New York provide a meditation room for employees to use.
Personal coaching needs to be made available to give employees the added support for achieving their goal of becoming a master of stress. It is not enough to give employees information. They must have a program that will assist them in making the appropriate behavioral and lifestyle changes. Stress management programs are not a luxury, but a necessity. It’s not that your organization doesn’t have the time for stress management, it doesn’t have the time not to have a stress management program.
In 1982 I was asked by the corporate wellness director of an aerospace company to speak to their medical doctor about stress management training. The doctor felt it would be better not to mention or deal with stress because it would cause problems. He stuck his head deep into the ground and hoped the problem would go away. Well it didn’t. In fact it got worse. Other companies have accepted higher Worker’s Compensation costs and increased medical insurance expenses as a part of doing business. The average Worker’s Comp. claim costs about $20,000 and many accidents are linked to stress. Costs can be contained, but it takes attention, time and a well thought out plan.
My job as a consultant is to provide clients with cutting edge information and impress upon them the realistic benefits of stress management training and relaxation rooms. Unfortunately we live in a society that equates relaxation with laziness. Actually our productivity and health improves when we relax, release stress and become centered because then we are in control of ourselves rather than allowing stress to control us.
It is time to change old patterns of thinking and innovate new ideas.
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