Under Pressure: Work and Home Life

66% of Canadian workers report high job stress, 32% do not feel supported by coworkers in their work efforts,
and 15% are experiencing actual conflict with coworkers.

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"Approximately one of every three employees reported low support from co-workers (32%) and one in six, low support from supervisors—two other sources of work stress." - Statistics Canada Health Reports

Canadians are feeling the pressure, in the workplace and at home. About 17% of male workers and 16% of female workers reported low supervisor support. 13% of workers felt stressed by the fear of job loss or layoff. 34% worried about too many hours/demands.

Overall, about one-quarter of workers reported high levels of general stress in their daily lives.

Work and home life are not mutually exclusive. People don't just leave the office and shed the stress of the work day, nor do they drop the home-based problems outside the office door. 65% of working Canadians reported that they experienced a 'medium or high' level of work-life balance conflict; 28% reported a high level.

Job strain. High psychological demands and low job control (see: Demand/control model) can increase detrimental behaviours (e.g. depression, substance abuse), which in turn affects the home environment, adding more pressure. Employees who have no sense of control over their job situation are less motivated to take part in activities that improve their health, and employees who are working excessive hours do not have time to devote to exercise and positive health behaviour.

Studies have shown that stress levels directly affect:

• increases in smoking and drinking
• susceptibility to infection
• elevated cholesterol
• increased risk of physical injuries at work
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• insomnia
• cardiovascular disease
• psychosomatic symptoms
• adverse birth outcomes
• mental health conditions including depression
• periodontal disease
• cancer

For ideas that can help you reduce the levels of job strain in your office, contact us.

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