NYT: Always on the Job, Employees Pay With Health

[kskiska]

…and to think we used to laugh at the Japanese.

American workers are stressed out, and in an unforgiving economy, they are becoming more so every day.

Sixty-two percent say their workload has increased over the last six months; 53 percent say work leaves them "overtired and overwhelmed."

Even at home, in the soccer bleachers or at the Labor Day picnic, workers are never really off the clock, bound to BlackBerries, cellphones and laptops. Add iffy job security, rising health care costs, ailing pension plans and the fear that a financial setback could put mortgage payments out of reach, and the office has become, for many, an echo chamber of angst.

It is enough to make workers sick - and it does.

Decades of research have linked stress to everything from heart attacks and stroke to diabetes and a weakened immune system. Now, however, researchers are connecting the dots, finding that the growing stress and uncertainty of the office have a measurable impact on workers' health and, by extension, on companies' bottom lines.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2004/09/05/health/05stress.html?hp

[madrchsod]

1. forced overtime is the newest

trick the companies are using to not hire new people..just work people overtime it saves alot of money..no pay raise-just more overtime. god i`m really sick of this country...

[prodigal_green]

2. Every time you hear the words "increased productivity"

remember that it means more work by fewer people.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. kick

[Skittles]

4. but according to this aticle we are all happy!!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2004-09-05-work-happy_x.htm

which one do you suppose is bullshit???!!!! :o