CHICAGO – Oct. 30, 2017 – Some 59 percent of employees report being in the high-stress category, according to the 2017 StressPulseSM survey, released today by ComPsych®. Fifty-six percent of employees see accomplishing basic tasks as the top work priority, while workload and  people issues are the top work stressors. ComPsych Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand.

“Given that it’s an employee market, with some thinking of greener pastures, relationships at work may be strained as people can seem less engaged,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “Employers would do well to focus on addressing the causes of stress, fostering teamwork and retaining their top talent in the coming months.”

Key Findings:

• Employees in the high-stress category total 59 percent
• Fifty-six percent of employees see accomplishing basic work responsibilities as their top priority   
• Workload is the primary cause of stress for 39 percent of employees, while people issues is a top stressor for 31 percent

To gauge employee sentiment on what changes might persuade them to stay with their current employer, ComPsych asked:

Other than compensation, what would most motivate you to stay in your current job?

24 percent said – More flexible work options

23 percent said – More meaningful or satisfying work

18 percent said – More opportunity for growth

16 percent said – More recognition/appreciation from boss or coworkers

14 percent said – Improved benefits (health, wellness, concierge, etc.)

5 percent said – Other

StressPulse Results

Stress Levels
59% Have high levels of stress, with extreme fatigue/feeling out of control 
35% Have constant but manageable stress levels
6% Have low stress levels
 

Work Priorities
56% See accomplishing basic responsibilities as most important
27% See being present as most important  
17% See performance improvement as most important
 

Causes of Stress at Work
39% Cite workload
31% Cite people issues
19% Cite juggling work and personal life
6% Cite lack of job security
5% None of the above (I'm not stressed)
 

Causes of Stress at Home
25% Financial issues
25% Family, friends or relationship issues
19% Juggling work with personal life
12% Personal to-do list
8% Health issues
11% None of the above (I'm not stressed)
 

Impact of Stress Upon Daily Productivity
41% Lose 15-30 min. per day in productivity due to stress
36% Lose 1 hour or more per day in productivity due to stress
23% Report productivity is unaffected by stress
 

Impact of Stress Upon Attendance
55% Miss 1 to 2 days per year due to stress
31% Miss 3 to 6 days per year due to stress
14% Miss more than 6 days per year due to stress
 

Impact of Stress Upon Effectiveness
46% Come to work 1 to 4 days per year when too stressed to be effective          
29% Come to work 5 or more days per year when too stressed to be effective
25% Say stress does not impact effectiveness
 

Impact of Personal Tasks Upon Daily Productivity
63% Lose less than 30 min. per day due to personal tasks
17% Lose 30 min. per day due to personal tasks 
20% Lose more than 1 hour per day due to personal tasks
 

Most Common Reasons for Absences
40% Cite medical reasons/illness (self)
36% Cite stress and personal relationship issues
24% Cite caregiving responsibilities 
 

Coping Strategies for Stress
54% Take frequent "stress breaks" at work to talk with others
35% Work harder
11% Take a day off
 

About ComPsych

ComPsych® Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs (EAP) and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand. ComPsych provides services to more than 35,000 organizations covering more than 95 million individuals throughout the U.S. and over 160 countries. By creating “Build-to-Suit” programs, ComPsych helps employers attract and retain employees, increase employee productivity and improve overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.compsych.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jennifer Hudson
ComPsych® Corporation
(312) 595-4048
jhudson@compsych.com