With today's competitive pressures and tighter company resources, employees are continuing to feel high levels of workplace stress. Employers have higher expectations and financial performance targets as well as individual performance targets; however, while many employers have added back some workers lost during the layoffs of 2008 and 2009, these employers are remaining lean for the most part, says Laura Sejen, global practice leader, rewards of Towers Watson, a global professional services company in New York City.

"We're operating with fewer resources, and there are more expectations," Sejen says. "When you put those things together, it's no surprise that you have this excessive pressure theme."

Even a recent Towers Watson survey finds that 71 percent of employers report that their employees are working more hours over the past three years, and another 53 percent of employers believe this will become the status quo over the next three years. Consequently, 30 percent of employees say they are feeling excessive pressure on the job.