Most employers are combating stress at work by offering programs to help employees cope. According to a new survey from Buck Consultants, 66 percent of employers have implemented at least four programs intended to reduce stress.
"Most employers realize that a stressed-out workforce drives up health care costs," said Barry Hall, principal at Buck Consultants, in a press release. "Employers are responding by introducing numerous methods to combat the impact of work-related stress."
In fact, according to figures provided by Buck Consultants, stress has a huge impact on health care costs and rising rates of absenteeism. Eighty-two percent of respondents indicate their health care costs are significantly or moderately impacted by stress; 79 percent report significant or moderate impact on absenteeism; and 77 percent cite significant or moderate impact on workplace safety.
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Twenty-two percent of employers have established eight or more programs to help with stress, and some make more than 10 programs available to their workers. Only 7 percent of survey respondents do not have any stress-reduction strategies in place.
According to the survey, the resource most commonly used to address stress is an employee assistance program (EAP), implemented by 78 percent of survey respondents. Flexible work schedules are the next most cited strategy, offered by 63 percent of respondents.
Top 10 employer strategies to combat stress:
| Work/life balance support programs | 46% |
| Leadership training on worker stress | 45% |
| Online healthy lifestyle programs | 45% |
| Onsite fitness centers | 43% |
| Physical activity programs | 38% |
| Stress awareness campaigns | 35% |
| Financial management classes | 30% |
| Personal health/lifestyle management coaching | 29% |
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