Challenger, Gray & Christmas said job seekers could
call the firm from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard Time,
on December 26 and December 27. The phone number is
312-332-5790.
In its announcement about the free advising,
Challenger said it expects a high call volume because
corporate scandals, the troubles on Wall Street and
threats of terrorism have likely contributed to a
heightened sense of dread among job seekers.
Also, Challenger said December is usually the
biggest job-cut month so there should be more people
pounding the job-seeking pavement at this time of
year.
According to the report, Stress at Work, from the
federal government’s National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH), stress can take a physical toll
on employees – particularly with employees suffering from
cardiovascular disease, musculosketal disorders
(particularly back problems), and psychological disorders
(particularly depression).
Stressed-out employees are more likely to suffer
on-the-job injuries and could be more in line for suicide,
cancer, ulcers and an impaired immune function, the NIOSH
report said. The report cites a Journal of Occupational and
Environmental Medicine study that found health-care
expenditures are nearly 50% higher for stressed out
workers.
Possible tipoffs of a stressed out worker often include:
headaches, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating,
short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low
morale.
“Stress sets off an alarm in the brain, which responds
by preparing the body for defensive action,” the NISOH
report asserted. “The nervous system is aroused and
hormones are released to sharpen the senses, quicken the
pulse, deepen respiration and tense the muscles.”
a lack of participation by workers in company
decision making, sometimes worsened by poor internal
communications
a poor social environment with a lack of support
from coworkers and supervisors
conflicting or uncertain job expectations
job insecurity and lack of opportunity for
growth
unpleasant or dangerous physical conditions such
as crowding, noise, or air pollution.
“When stressful situations go unresolved, the body is
kept in a constant state of activation, which increases the
rate of wear and tear to biological systems,” the NIOSH
researchers wrote. “Ultimately fatigue or damage results,
and the ability of the body to repair and defend itself can
become seriously compromised. As a result, the risk of
injury or disease escalates.”
Steering Clear of Stress
NIOSH also provided a series of recommendations about
how to avoid workplace stress:
ensure the workload is in line with workers’
capabilities and resources
clearly define workers’ roles and
responsibilities
give workers opportunities to participate in
decisions and actions affecting their jobs