Implications of Stress @ Work

Can stress actually cost you money? We think so. But it’s not just us. Research shows that employee stress is at an all time high, and it’s leading to increased costs among organizations. Employees are working longer hours and have more responsibilities, in an uncertain economy. Extra sick days, carpal tunnel (καρπιαίος σωλήνας), and worker’s compensation claims are all stress related, and end up costing you more money.

 

  • Research in workplace stress found that physically, stress causes:
    • headaches,backaches, eye strain, neck pain, lowered resistance to infections, high blood pressure, ulcers and heart disease.
  • Emotionally, stress causes :
    • depression, anxiety, poor concentration, irritability and anger.
  • One in five employees report taking a sick day to relieve stress Link
  • Repetitive motion, such as grasping tools, scanning groceries, and typing, resulted in the longest absences from work among the leading events and exposures – an average of 17 missed workdays.  Link
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly two-thirds of all occupational illnesses reported, were repetitive stress injuries to the wrist, elbow and shoulder.
  • Over 70% of workplace injuries are caused by repetitive motion. Link
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that repetitive strain injuries are the nation’s most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of American workers, and costing more than $20 billion a year in workers compensation.

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  • Bursitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are the two most expensive worker’s compensation claims, both can be decreased through regular massage. Link
  • Carpal tunnel claims are the most likely claims to transition from medical-only to lost-time, with the probability of such a transition being approximately 34%.  Link
  • Carpal Tunnel ranks second overall in terms of total incurred financial losses and lost time from work. Link
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. It takes at least 27 days to recover from, which is longer than it takes to recover from a fracture or amputation.   BLS Article Link
  • According to OSHA, Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSDs), such as carpal tunnel and tendonitis, account for $1 of every $3 spent on Workers Compensation.
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, MSDs accounted for about one third of all workplace injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work. BLS Article Link

 

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