A report by the Work Foundation last month showed that the combination of demanding, complex jobs and low levels of support from managers and colleagues is driving the high prevalence of stress among workers.

When job intensity is coupled with inadequate support and few opportunities for employees to progress in their careers, symptoms such as sleeping problems, anxiety, irritability and stress are a likely result. 

The study found that jobs that are high in ‘complexity’ — in other words, are mentally taxing and involve juggling competing demands — are the most stressful.

Stress is overwhelmingly a condition that affects workers in the top occupational categories much more than others.

In the UK, for example, 20 per cent of workers in the top three categories — ‘managers and senior officials’, ‘professionals’ and ‘associate professionals’ (jobs such as computer technicians and nursing) - complain of stress resulting from their jobs.

By contrast, just nine per cent of workers in the remaining six categories - administrative and secretarial, skilled trades, personal services, sales and customer services, process plant and machine operatives and elementary occupations - complain of work-related stress symptoms.

New ways of working 

The transition to a ‘knowledge-based’ economy, where many jobs are done with a help of computer technology, has brought about new ways of working.

Computing has enabled more efficient and speedy work and the widespread sharing and capturing of knowledge.

On the downside, we also see increased intensification of work including rapidly evolving jobs and roles that require workers to remain vigilant and up-to-date on the latest information, intelligence and trends.

It also means that people are available 24/7 with Blackberries and email. In addition, technology enables employers to monitor and track performance more closely.

Rebecca Fauth, senior researcher at The Work Foundation, says that no organisation can stamp out all stress and most would not want to do so because some stress may be good for us.

“The question of why stress is so much a part of the modern world of work has remained rather mysterious. Knowing from solid evidence what types of employment conditions are most likely to bring about a stress-related illness, and how illness links to occupational change, is a big step forward,” she adds.

Fauth explains that the most stressful trio of job characteristics, especially among more highly skilled workers, is an intense job where employees are left to sink or swim within fast changing organisations and where opportunities for rising through the ranks are low.

Hard to ask for help 

“Work is fast, but what employers can do is put the right structures, processes and people in place to support workers properly. Good job design and high managerial standards are probably the most important way to improving the health of workers that exists,” Fauth concludes.

In contrast to other studies, the paper found little relationship between the degree of autonomy - control over the order, methods and speed with which workers do their work - and workers’ health.

Haswell says that it is important to remember is that stress can affect anyone at any time and, echoing Fauth, she emphasises that a certain level of stress is normal and potentially creative.

She warns, however, that managers can often feel as though they are expected to “hold everything together" and “be there for everyone else” and adds that it can be hard for them to ask for help, particularly when dealing with job cuts.

“It may be useful to talk things through in complete confidence with someone who is not involved in your day to day working life,” she concludes.

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Related links

• Haswell, Martin & Rose
• The Work Foundation