Workplace stress has reached epidemic levels, with 80% of Americans reporting feeling stressed about work. Chronic stress is taking both a psychological and physical toll, manifesting as issues like decreased problem-solving and memory, headaches, high blood pressure, and disrupted sleep. Additionally, stress is negatively impacting personal relationships and health behaviors like overeating. While most people believe their own stress does not affect others, children and partners are in fact experiencing secondary impacts. A major contributor to stress is poor management - the most stressful aspect of work for many is their boss, and only a small percentage of managers are properly suited for their roles. Reducing workplace stress through improved management could yield benefits for both employee well-being and business performance.

1. STRESS IN THE WORKING WORLD IS AT EPIDEMIC LEVELS
80%OF AMERICANS ARE
STRESSED ABOUT WORK
39%
49%
44%
OF MEN SAY THEY ARE
SUFFERING FROM STRESS
IT’S AFFECTING OUR MENTAL HEALTH
INABILITY TO
PROBLEM-SOLVE
CONFUSIONFRUSTRATION
APATHY DIFFICULTY
DECREASED SEX DRIVE FORGETFULNESS
PHYSICAL HEALTH
OF WOMEN SAY THEY ARE
SUFFERING FROM STRESS
SAY THEIR STRESS LEVEL HAS
INCREASED IN THE PAST 5 YEARS
25
Percentage
of adults who
suffer from a
diagnosable
mental disorder
63%
50
Percentage of
people who will at
some point suffer
from an emotional
disorder, often
due to chronic
stress
14.8
Million Americans
who suffer from
depression
40
Million Americans
who suffer from
anxiety
6
Million Americans
who experience
panic attacks
CONCENTRATING
DECREASED CONTACT WITH
FAMILY & FRIENDS
OF PEOPLE
EXPERIENCE
PSYCHOLOGICAL
SYMPTOMS OF
CHRONIC STRESS
AND IT’S
AFFECTING OUR
66%
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
OF STRESSINCLUDE
ASTHMAHEADACHES
OF PEOPLE
EXPERIENCE
PHYSICAL
SYMPTOMS
OF CHRONIC
STRESS
DIABETES
SKIN CONDITIONS
LOWER IMMUNE RESPONSE DISRUPTED SLEEP PATTERNS
ARTHRITIS
HIGHER BLOOD PRESSURE
TAKING STRESS
HOME WITH US
33
Percentage
of children
who report
physical health
symptoms
associated with
stress
39
Percentage
of adults
who report
overeating and
eating unhealthy
foods due to
stress
30
Percentage
of men who
increase the
amount of alcohol
they consume to
help them deal
with stress
22
Percentage of
women who who
increase the
amount of alcohol
they consume to
help them deal
with stress
69
Percentage of
of parents who
said their stress
has no impact on
their kids
14
Percentage of
youth who said
their parents’
stress doesn’t
bother them
WHAT’S GOT US SO WOUND UP?
Percentage of
people who said
the most stressful
part of their job is
their boss 75 Percentage
of managers
who are
wrong for
the job 82
THE BOTTOM LINE
Stress may be an inevitable part of life, but the chronic stress caused by a bad boss can cause
people incredible physical and psychological harm. By improving the quality of their managers,
companies can reduce employees’ stress, increase commitment at work, increase performance,
reduce turnover, and improve customer satisfaction.
© 2014 Hogan Assessment Systems Inc.