How Stress Affects Employee Health at Work

Do not let your friends get to this point ↴ Rock bottom. In a profession like recruiting (external), many of us, including myself, have reached this point multiple times. The pressure is palatable, especially for high-pressure solo practitioners where our success determines if we feed our families. 👉 Let's break down the concerns ↴ 1. Burnout   → Unrealistic targets and the "always-on" nature of the job add to this stress and mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. 2. Rejection Fatigue → The "No's" add up: Constantly dealing with candidates' & clients' rejections or disappointments can create feelings of inadequacy or failure. 3. Pressure for Performance → Intense Metrics-driven environments can result in overwhelming stress to meet KPIs. Economic factors, such as layoffs or hiring freezes, add further stress. 4. Emotional Toll of Candidate Support → Supporting them through brutal rejections or coaching them to improve can be draining. 5. Isolation in Remote Work → For some, the shift to remote recruitment has reduced in-office camaraderie, increased feelings of isolation & impacted mental well-being. 👉 What to look out for in our industry colleagues, friends and family↴ 1. Decreased Productivity Missed deadlines, lower placements, or poor performance relative to prior output. 2. Physical Symptoms → Fatigue, headaches, disrupted sleep, or drastic weight/appetite changes. 3. Changes in Attitude or Behavior → Irritability, reduced communication, or withdrawal from team interactions. 4. Reduced Job Satisfaction → Expressing dissatisfaction or lack of fulfillment in the role. (not standard sarcasm)🙄 5. Impaired Decision-Making → Difficulty managing priorities or making clear, strategic choices. 👉 Strategies to Address Mental Health in Recruitment ↴ 1. Normalize Mental Health Conversations → Provide a culture where discussing stress or seeking help is welcomed and not stigmatized. 2. Reasonable Targets and Metrics  → Ensure KPIs are ambitious but achievable to reduce unnecessary pressure. 3. Flexible Work Arrangements → Encourage work-life harmony through remote work flexibility or mental health days. 4. Mental Health Resources Offer access to counseling, therapy, or stress management programs. 5. Peer Support Networks → Build spaces where recruiters can share experiences & coping strategies. 6. Training Managers to Spot Signs → Equip leaders to recognize when team members need support & how to provide it effectively. Recruitment is a team sport & we must look out for each other as humans. Keep an eye on your friends who do this solo and check in on them. It's like a REAL check-in. Together, we can make a difference! 👉 And before you write some snarky comment about job seekers or other professions, YES, these tips can apply to all. But right now, I am focusing on my industry to spread the word and make a difference. Thank you!  

Coming home from work exhausted is a ubiquitous feeling in our country, especially in healthcare. Often even when no specific deadline or trigger happens. Stress comes to us all in tiny little assaults throughout our day — “micro-stresses.” Do you know that 60-80% of all doctor visits are for stress-related complaints. Stress also hits productivity, as stressed-out people tend to make lower-quality decisions and are often less motivated, innovative, and productive in their work. Ultimately, unrelieved stress can lead to burnout. I have gained a ton by really understanding where my micro-stresses sit and actively working to put guardrails around them, focus time that aligns with my values and inspires me to just get the good work done. Rob Cross, Jean Singer, and Karen Dillon share three ways to think about this stress to help get on a path to work through them in Harvard Business Review. Walking through the 12 common causes of work "micro-stresses" can be enlightening and fall into three themes: 💠 Micro-stresses that drain your personal capacity (the time and energy you have available to handle life’s demands). Unspoken misalignments create extra work to deal with them. For example, misalignment of roles or priorities, when others don't deliver reliably, unpredictable behavior from a person in a position of authority, poor communication norms, or a surge in responsibilities at work or home. 💠 Micro-stresses that deplete your emotional reserves, which can include worrying about others, uncertainty over the impact of our actions, fear of repercussions, or certain interactions sucking out our energy. For example, managing others and feeling responsibility for their success and well-being, confrontational conversations, mistrust in your network, or people who spread a contagion of stress. 💠 Micro-stresses that challenge your identity and values. For example, pressure to pursue goals out of synch with your personal values, when someone undermines your sense of self-confidence, worth, or control, or disruptions to your network. Remember to: 💠 Isolate and act on two to three micro-stressors. 💠 Invest in relationships and activities that keep the less consequential micro-stresses in perspective. 💠 Distance or disconnect from stress-creating people or activities. #microstress #burnout #leadership #healthcareonlinkedin https://lnkd.in/gxbkxpRu

Burnout isn’t just about long hours... It’s about unmet needs. Burnout is on the rise, and we’re missing the real issue. Companies address symptoms, not causes. Here’s what really fuels burnout and how to tackle it: 1. Workload & Time Pressure 39% say workload is their top stress source. Overworked employees are 70% more prone to burnout. 2. Overbearing Bosses 28% cite lack of autonomy as a key stressor. Control matters: Without it, burnout risk spikes by 15%. 3. Lack of Recognition 66% would leave if unappreciated. Valuing contributions directly boosts satisfaction.     4. Poor Workplace Relationships  77% suffer from workplace isolation. Positive relations can buffer against burnout.     5. Work-Life Imbalance  72% struggle to balance work with life. Remote work blurs boundaries, increasing burnout risk.     6. Financial Stress Financial worries impact 81% of employees. Financial wellness support can improve focus & productivity.     7. Job Insecurity 77% link job insecurity to burnout. Clear communication on role stability reduces anxiety.     8. Lack of Purpose Only 60% feel clarity in their roles. Purpose-driven work fuels motivation and reduces burnout.     9. Emotional Labor 82% of healthcare workers report burnout. Recognize the toll of high-emotion roles.     10. Technological Overload 61% feel always connected. Set tech boundaries to protect mental health. Real burnout solutions need to target these causes, not quick fixes. Make meaningful change - prioritize people over profits. Follow Jonathan Raynor. Reshare to help others.

This LinkedIn user reported to a a British CEO with a plummy accent... who made our friend so anxious that favorite British TV shows and movies were off the menu for a couple years (no Harry Potter!) Sounds funny... but it highlights something really important. Work means a lot to us. It’s the biggest driver of our personal mental health. It’s where many of us find self worth, mastery, recognition, and friends. According to the latest Headspace Workforce State of Mind Report, 53% of employees say work helps them find a community of people with similar lived experiences, and 48% say work improves their confidence or sense of self. All generations of workers report that the number one positive impact from work is community. Nearly 60% of employees report that their manager positively impacted them by being flexible with work to accommodate personal issues, and more than half say their manager positively impacted them by providing mentorship for a professional issue. And when we do work well, mental health is better. A new study in the JAMA found greater job flexibility was associated with decreased odds of serious psychological distress and lower odds of weekly or daily anxiety. Greater job security was associated with decreased odds of serious psychological distress and lower odds of weekly anxiety. And yet, work hurts, too. Headspace for Organizations data also finds almost half (47%) of employees and two-thirds (66%) of CEOs say the majority of their stress or all of their stress comes from work, rather than from their personal lives. 77% of employees say that work stress has negatively impacted their physical health, and 75% say it caused them to gain weight. Work stress is also driving a high rate of breakups and divorces: 71% of employees say work stress has caused a personal relationship to end. Further, 39% of employees report that work has negatively impacted their ability to care for their family or children’s mental health, and 37% say it has contributed to serious mental health challenges, such as substance use or suicidal ideation. Yikes. I do believe positive change is happening, but not soon enough. Most companies I see profess great strides in workplace wellness but their employees tell me a different story. I can't judge whether someone is "toxic" or not- it always takes two to tango, as the saying goes. Too often we call people toxic when really, it's the system that's toxic. But these data show the emotional leverage work has over us. We need to take that seriously as leaders. #workplacementalhealth #anxiousachiever #toxicbosses #futureofwork #mentalhealth Marie-Rachelle Narcisse, PhD, MSc, FABQAURP, CHCQM Monica L. Wang, ScD, MS Katherine Togher, MPH, RD JAMA Study: https://lnkd.in/eji-wvNV Headspace study:n https://lnkd.in/enTCkxWc

It hit me during a 1:1. One of our top performers admitted they were so overwhelmed, they’d been working through migraines just to keep up. Not because they didn’t care, but because they cared too much to let the team down. That’s when I realized: We don’t need another meditation app or pizza party. We need systems that don’t burn people out in the first place. 91% of US workers say unmanageable stress is hurting the quality of their work . Employees are feeling drained. The energy that should go into creativity, collaboration, and innovation is often consumed by the stress of simply getting through the day. That’s not a personal problem. It’s an organizational one. The energy that should go into creativity, collaboration, and innovation? It's being consumed by the stress of just getting through the day As leaders, we can’t ignore that. Here’s what unchecked work-related stress is really costing you: ✔️ Great employees who quietly disengage, then leave. ✔️ New hires who don’t stay long enough to make an impact. ✔️ Teams that are too drained to innovate, let alone collaborate. ✔️ A reputation that makes it harder to attract top talent. Your policies, expectations, and definitions of “high performance” either support wellbeing or sabotage it. Leaders, managers, decision-makers, here’s how you can help:

2019: The impact of workplace stress. 2022: Three years after I resigned. Here’s what happens when you ignore the warning signs 🚩🚩🚩 What started out as daily migraines, bouts of insomnia, and GERD, escalated to eosinophilic esophagitis, followed by kidney disease—both diagnosed as autoimmune conditions caused by chronic workplace stress. As a principal, I loved empowering young people, creating academic spaces where they could thrive, and supporting educators to grow. But that passion required long hours, constant problem-solving, and operating in an under-resourced education system that demanded significant outcomes with minimal support. The pressure led me to neglect my basic needs—rest, proper meals, and exercise. What began as small sacrifices became life-threatening conditions. Medications only provided temporary relief, sometimes creating new health issues. When faced with a life-threatening autoimmune disease, I had to make a choice: stay in a position that was breaking me or choose my life. I chose life. I’m sharing this because I don’t want you to ignore the red flags 🚩 Those signs appear long before the sirens 🚨 sound off. You can love what you do, but it should never come at the expense of you. Here are some hard truths: ⚠️ Stop telling yourself no one else can do your job—they will find someone else. ⚠️ Ask yourself: Who will care for your family if you’re hospitalized or worse? ⚠️ Listen to your body. Don’t dismiss what you feel. Schedule that doctor’s appointment. You can follow your calling and do what you love without sacrificing your health and wellness. It starts with recognizing the signs and prioritizing yourself. In 2025, your health matters. Your life matters, you deserve to thrive without compromise. #workplacewellness #healthandwellness #womenshealth

Our 2024 Workforce State of Mind report has just been released, and it’s a must read. In our annual survey of over 2,000 employees, CEOs, and HR leaders, our results showed how work stress is seeping into the personal lives of employees and how their relationships – with co-workers, managers, and leaders – play a significant role in their mental and emotional well-being: - 77% of employees say that work stress has negatively impacted their physical health and - 75% say it caused them to gain weight. - 71% of employees report work stress has caused a personal relationship to end. However, despite a shift to remote work for many, employees continue to see the workplace as a source of community and connection: - 53% of employees say that the workplace helped them find a community of people with similar backgrounds or lived experiences. - 44% of employees say that their workplace helped them build connections and feel less lonely. Check out the report to see what actions leaders and companies can take to support workplace mental health: https://lnkd.in/dVHMFb4v

76% of employees say workplace stress negatively impacts their well-being (APA). Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your job—it affects your entire life. Here’s how to recognize the signs and what to do about them: 1. You feel drained before the day even starts. → Prioritize rest, set a consistent sleep schedule, and start your mornings with a calming routine. 2. Setting boundaries makes you feel guilty. → Remind yourself that boundaries protect your energy and help you perform better. 3. Speaking up feels unsafe or discouraged. → If direct communication isn’t safe, document concerns and seek HR or external support. 4. Your mistakes are punished, not learned from. → Find mentors or colleagues who encourage growth and constructive feedback. 5. Toxic positivity dismisses real concerns. → Surround yourself with people who validate your experiences and offer real solutions. 6. You doubt your abilities more than before. → Keep a success journal to track accomplishments and rebuild confidence. 7. Work stress follows you into your personal life. → Set a mental "off switch" by creating end-of-day rituals and tech-free time. 8. There’s constant pressure to do more. → Push back by clarifying priorities and setting realistic goals with your manager. 9. High turnover leaves teams unstable. → Observe patterns—if great people keep leaving, it might be time to consider your options too. .10 Recognition is rare, but criticism is frequent. → Advocate for yourself, celebrate small wins, and seek out supportive environments. 11. You’re praised for overworking, not impact. → Define success on your own terms and set limits on after-hours work. 12. Your gut tells you something isn’t right. → Trust that feeling. Assess whether staying aligns with your values and goals. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward change. Ignoring them only deepens the cycle of stress and burnout. Prioritizing your well-being means valuing yourself and your future. No job is worth sacrificing your mental health. Every week, I share an actionable tool to help purpose-driven business leaders reach their highest level of impact, success, and fulfillment with less effort. Signup free here: https://lnkd.in/dr7H_NsA 🔃If you found this post helpful, please add your insight and repost it with your network. Always walking with you, because your journey matters. #mentalhealth #wellbeing #founders

What happens when you're chronically exposed to bullying, chaos, and chronic stress at work? Hyperarousal - You have an overactive startle reflex - you may jump when someone touches you - Insomnia - you wake up in the middle of the night (maybe because of the intrusion of nightmares) and can't get back to sleep or have trouble falling asleep. - Impulsivity - you find yourself impulsively acting without thinking. - Attention issues - you start to find it harder to concentrate at work. Things that used to be easy take a lot more effort to stay focused on. Avoidance - Trying to not think about work - When you get home you may be constantly telling yourself in your head, "Stop thinking about that." - Avoiding people and places that remind you of work - not wanting to see old coworkers, getting anxiety and scrolling quickly past things on social media that remind you of work Intrusions - Nightmares about work - Flashbacks - but often emotional flashbacks. Emotional flashbacks are strong feelings that come from nowhere. They aren't usually associated with images (nasty emails, IMs, or words don't really leave a visual scar), instead they're sudden re-experiencing of the emotion involved with a workplace experience - shame, disgust, anxiety, fear - Intrusive thoughts - thinking about work when you don't want to. Replaying an argument, scolding, or workplace failure over and over in your own head.