Muscle pain, problems sleeping, irritability—in addition to the obvious risks to health and well-being, workplace stress is an economic catastrophe. According to Pascale Levet, technical and scientific director at Anact (Agence nationale pour l’amélioration des conditions de travail)*, many studies have assessed the “deferred cost” of stress, in terms of lost productivity and proved that the phenomenon costs between 3 and 5% of GDP in most industrialized countries.
Pascale Levet adds that the challenges associated with this problem have evolved over the past few years. Until recently, companies believed in “good stress,” which motivates employees, and “bad stress,” which paralyzes them. It is now increasingly alleged that no form of stress is positive, and that instead of learning to manage it, managers should focus on its causes in order to eliminate it completely.
This is easier said than done, since the taboo surrounding stress is far from being lifted. Most employees are not willing to discuss the issue with their boss for fear of appearing incompetent. Moreover, the current economic downturn is likely to lead to increased stress in companies, since employees are under a lot of pressure to perform and fear layoffs.
* Comments gathered during a chat session organized by Le Monde