As more veterans are returning to the work force, employers should be aware that some of those employees could be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and accommodations may be necessary to help those employees cope.

In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 11 percent of veterans returning from Afghanistan suffer from PTSD while this is true for 20 percent of veterans returning from Iraq. Even 7 percent  to 8 percent of civilians are estimated to develop PTSD at some point in their lives, says Dr. Doug Hicks, mental health case manager of The Standard. With so many people possibly inflicted with PTSD, it can hurt productivity, especially when considering the syndrome's symptoms.

Common PTSD symptoms include detachment from others, insomnia, anger outbursts and guilt, Hicks says. These symptoms typically make it more difficult to work with others and can cause cognitive problems, such as lack of concentration and memory issues, leading to poor productivity.