Nearly a third of German workers grapple with multiple work-related stressors simultaneously
From crushing deadlines to clashing with colleagues and customers, a survey reveals that almost a third of employees in Germany are simultaneously dealing with various serious work stressors. The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) conducted the study, interviewing over 6,000 workers between January and April.
According to the survey, 86% of respondents regularly or frequently experience time pressure, while 56% grapple with heavy physical work. Noise and noise-related stressors affect 73% of employees, with 40% reporting frequent or regular exposure. Furthermore, conflicts with colleagues and customers are faced by 65% of workers, although most report infrequent instances.
The study recognizes that jobs typically involve a multitude of demands that often occur concurrently. Consequently, 31% of all respondents noted experiencing all four types of stress simultaneously.
The impact of such stressors on employees' health and future work ability is significant. The survey found that 39% of employees dealing with multiple physical and psychological stressors describe their health as good. On the other hand, only 7% expect to continue working until retirement with these challenges.
Interestingly, only 38% of surveyed employees reported undergoing a job risk assessment within the past two years. Despite this, Germany continues to boast low unemployment rates, offering employment in diverse industries.
Additional insights:
While this survey primarily focuses on the four stressors mentioned, it is crucial to acknowledge that work stressors encompass a wider array of factors. Studies show that incomplete or fragmented tasks, unvaried tasks, inadequate task flexibility, emotional dissonance, traumatic events, and interference with work processes can all contribute to stress [1]. Adding to this, poor organization, lack of social support, and destructive behavior from colleagues or supervisors can lead to further stressors.
Moreover, work environment factors, such as noise, poor lighting, and hazardous odors, can aggravate the situation [1]. The cumulative impact of these stressors can ultimately result in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced mental and physical well-being, and, in severe cases, mental health issues [1].
Source:
[1] Enrichment Data: (Please note that the enrichment data is integrated into the base article, without explicitly mentioning the source.)
