Work Organization Factors in the U.S. Workplace & Job Stress: Findings from a National Survey

Stress, defined as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them,” (Peter & Siegrist, 1997) is prevalent in American work life.  About one-fourth of U.S. workers have viewed their jobs as the top stressor in their lives [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 1999]. Further, roughly 26% to 52% of American workers report moderate to high levels of stress at work (e.g., McCalister et al, 2006).      The basic rationale underpinning the concept of job stress is that the work situation has certain demands and difficulties in meeting these demands can lead to illness, injury, and psychological distress (Edwards & Burnard, 2003; Health and Safety Executive, 2001).   An impressive body of empirical research supports this purported link between job stress and problems in health and safety.  Researchers have found that mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach, headaches, and disrupted familial relationships are common early manifestations of job stress (DHHS, 1999; Robinson, Flowers & Carroll, 2001; Couter & Bumpus, 2001; Caufield et al, 2004), high blood pressure and cholesterol levels (Goodspeed & DeLucia, 1990), cardiovascular disease (Herd, 1986; Sauter & Hurrell, 1999), infectious and autoimmune diseases (e.g., Brunner, 2000), anxiety and depression (e.g., Landsbergis, 1992), and accidents and injuries (e.g., Schnall et al, 2000).       This presentation will provide an overview of job stress including its prevalence in the U.S. workforce.  Additionally, using data collected from the Quality of Worklife Survey, which is a nationally representative survey of U.S. workers, this presentation will describe the work organization variables associated with job stress and related safety and health outcomes.  Finally, this presentation will describe approaches that can be taken to eliminate and/or mitigate work organization risk factors to health and safety.