Workers Reluctant to Talk Stress with Managers

December 14, 2004 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Even though two third of workers say they've experienced job stress, nearly four in 10 (37%) are uncomfortable talking about their stress level with their manager, a new survey found.

The Accenture HR Services poll of 600 full-time US workers found that 55% of workers do not know about any formal work-related stress programs offered by their employers. Particularly acute stress at the holidays may be because of having more personal commitments in addition to workers’ regular workplace responsibilities, researchers said.

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Other findings include that:

  • nearly four in 10 (37%) say they’ve even considered quitting because of work stress
  • almost a third of workers say holiday stress forced them to take a day off from work
  • women are more likely than men to take a day due to holiday stress
  • younger workers are more like to need stress holidays

Despite their stress levels, half of American workers (51%) rate their productivity level during the holidays as the same as the rest of the year – and even 25% say they are more productive at work around the holidays at other times, according to a news release.

What can be done about it? Workers suggest:

  • allowing flexible hours
  • being sensitive to work/life balances
  • allowing workers to take time off
  • being understanding about workers’ personal commitments.

Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates conducted the poll for Accenture HR Services on November 22, 2004. More information about Accenture is at www.accenturehrservices.com .

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