Cut the Cost of Stress in the Workplace

Stressed workers cost employers $1 trillion per year

From the factory floor to the corporate boardroom, rising workplace stress negatively impacts productivity, employee health, and your organization’s bottom line. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, at an average U.S. 1,000-person company, the employee stress, disengagement, overextension, ineffectiveness, and burnout over the course of 1 year cost employers an average of $5.04 million.

Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year in lost productivity, according to the World Health Organization.

To better address this problem, it is important to understand specifically what stress is and how our bodies react to it in order to find the best solution to the problem in the workplace. The good news is your organization is able to directly address this issue. Employees spend at least one third of their day at the worksite, which provides you an excellent opportunity to promote better physical and mental health across your workforce.

We often create silos between the office and the home, but they are connected.

“Lots of research shows that your tendency to overeat, over drink, and take drugs are affected by your workplace,” says Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford University professor of organizational behavior. “When people like their lives, and that includes work life, they will do a better job of taking care of themselves. When they don’t like their lives, they don’t.”

Let’s explore two common workplace stressors and how resources at work can help.

10 Common stressors in the workplace

1. Heavy Workload

An excessive workload is one of the most common workplace stressors. When employees are expected to handle too many tasks, meet unrealistic deadlines, or regularly work long hours, it can lead to fatigue and burnout. Over time, consistently high demands without adequate support or resources can negatively affect both productivity and overall well-being.

2. Lack of Control

Employees often experience stress when they have little control over how or when their work gets done. Limited decision-making authority, rigid schedules, or strict processes can make people feel powerless in their roles. Having some autonomy in daily tasks and priorities can help employees feel more engaged and less overwhelmed.

3. Poor Work-Life Balance

When work consistently spills into personal time, stress can quickly build. Expectations to respond to emails after hours, frequent overtime, or insufficient time off can make it difficult for employees to recharge. Without clear boundaries between work and personal life, individuals may struggle to maintain their health, relationships, and overall well-being.

4. Job Insecurity

Uncertainty about continued employment can be a significant source of employee stress in the workplace. Concerns about layoffs, organizational restructuring, or unstable company performance may cause employees to worry about their financial stability and future. Even rumors of change can create anxiety and distract employees from focusing on their work.

5. Unclear Job Expectations

Workplace stress often increases when employees are unsure about what is expected of them. Vague job responsibilities, shifting priorities, or inconsistent direction from leadership can lead to confusion and frustration. Clear communication about goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations helps employees feel more confident and supported in their roles.

6. Poor Management or Leadership

Leadership style plays a major role in workplace stress. Micromanagement, lack of feedback, inconsistent communication, or limited support from supervisors can create a challenging work environment. Employees who feel undervalued or unsupported by leadership may experience higher levels of workplace stress and lower job satisfaction.

7. Workplace Conflict

Interpersonal tension among coworkers or between employees and managers can create a stressful work atmosphere. Personality differences, poor communication, or unresolved disputes may lead to ongoing frustration and distraction. When conflicts are not addressed constructively, they can affect morale, collaboration, and productivity.

8. Lack of Recognition

Feeling that one’s work goes unnoticed or unappreciated can contribute to stress and disengagement. Employees who consistently put in effort without acknowledgment may feel undervalued or overlooked. Recognition—whether through feedback, praise, or rewards—can help reinforce a sense of purpose and motivation.

9. Limited Career Growth

Employees who feel stuck in their roles without opportunities to learn new skills or advance may become frustrated over time. A lack of professional development, mentorship, or clear promotion paths can reduce motivation and increase dissatisfaction. Growth opportunities help employees stay engaged and invested in their work.

10. Organizational Change

Major changes within a company—such as mergers, restructuring, leadership transitions, or new policies—can create uncertainty and disrupt established routines. Even positive changes may cause stress if employees are unsure how their roles will be affected. Transparent communication and support during periods of transition can help reduce anxiety and maintain stability.

How to prevent or reduce stress in the workplace

To help employees manage their health concerns, including stress, onsite healthcare providers such as Marathon Health tailor their care using a variety of health services such as health coaching, nutrition education, and behavioral health counseling.

While your workforce improves their health, you’ll improve your bottom line. Onsite health centers for employers increase access to care while decreasing dependence on expensive healthcare services such as specialty and urgent care.

When your organization embraces health and wellness in the workplace, you’re able to design programs and resources to support your employees’ unique health needs. Worksite healthcare can partner with your organization to develop and implement these services to grow a more productive and a healthier workforce.