Three-Quarters Of Americans Stressed By Something At Work

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As summer vacations wind down, it's back to the workplace where nearly three quarters of employed Americans are stressed out on the job for one reason or another, according to data released today in the 2012 Work Stress Survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Everest College.

The telephone survey of 898 employed adults found that a majority of Americans (73%) are stressed by at least one thing at work. For the second consecutive year, paltry paychecks was the top stressor with 11% of adults ranking low wages as the most stressful aspect of work, followed by annoying coworkers (10%), commuting (9%), unreasonable workload (9%) and working in a job that is not their chosen career (8%).

Americans, however, seem to be more confident regarding job security with just 4% ranking fear of being fired or laid off a top concern, compared to 9% in 2011. Other key stressors include poor work-life balance (5%), lack of opportunity for advancement (5%) and the boss (4%).

"With ongoing uncertainty gripping the job market and economy, it's only natural that job stress continues to be a major issue," said survey spokesman John Swartz, regional director of career services at Everest College. "Anxiety among employees reduces productivity, lessens job satisfaction, lowers morale and has a negative impact on health. Workplace stress costs U.S. employers billions, and it's critical that both employer and employee take action to reduce this epidemic."

Women, More Than Men, Stressed by Low Pay

The survey found that women and men have some key differences when ranking the most stressful aspect of their job. Women ranked low pay at 14% while 8% of men said it was the top stressor. Another key differentiator was that 11% of women said their job wasn't their chosen career, compared to 5% of men.

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