June 27, 2003 – Work-related stress is a reality for thousands of Canadians and employers often take too little interest in the phenomenon, reveals a recent study released by Health Canada.
The study, carried out in 2000, identified the high number of hours and overwork as the two main stressors; 37% of full-time workers mention them, compared to 20% of part-time workers. Also, employees in health care were seven times more likely to cite the risk of accident or injury as a source of stress than those in management, business, finance or science.
In addition, 15% of workers mentioned poor interpersonal relationships as the main stressor. (Along these lines, a very small British study1 recently discovered that working for a demanding or unreasonable boss seems to have an impact on blood pressure: the systolic pressure of employees in this situation was higher by 15 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure by 7 mm Hg, which could result in a 38% increase in the risk of suffering from certain cardiovascular diseases).
Statistics Canada also deplores the fact that a large number of employers pay very little attention to the issue of stress in the workplace. The majority of them, says the federal agency, tackle the symptoms of stress, with, for example, employee assistance programs, but without addressing the causes of the problem. In 1999, 26% of employees had access to such programs.
Two companies stand out, however, namely the Labatt brewery and the distributor of food products and services Kraft. Thus, Labatt offers its employees access to a well-equipped gymnasium 16 hours a day, the advice of nutritionists and massage therapists, and organizes social activities for them. In addition to making a gymnasium available to its employees, Kraft offers them various workshops (yoga, landscaping, etc.) during lunchtime, flexible hours and several services (dry cleaning, meal preparation , etc.) at the scene.
Finally, Statistics Canada is pleased to see that a growing number of employers recognize that harmful levels of stress in the workplace can have a negative impact on employee performance.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to Statistics Canada, The Globe and Mail and HealthDayNews; June 26, 2003.
1. Wager N, Fieldman G, Hussey T. The effect on ambulatory blood pressure of working under favorably and unfavorably perceived supervisors.Occup Environ Med 2003 Jul; 60 (7): 468-74. [Consulté le 27 juin 2003].
