The Hidden Dangers of Office Work
When you think about hazardous jobs, you might visualize crab fishermen facing the icy Atlantic, lumberjacks wielding chainsaws, or truck drivers tackling slippery roads. However, late-night office hours and overtime shifts at checkout counters should also be considered in this context.
Consequences of Workplace Stress
According to Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business and author of “Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance – and What We Can Do About It,” many workplace conditions can be just as harmful as secondhand smoke. These conditions can negatively impact physical and mental health, lead to diagnosed illnesses, and ultimately increase mortality rates.
Invisible Risks in White-Collar Jobs
Pfeffer argues that seemingly non-hazardous jobs can still result in significant health risks. Factors such as economic instability, poor work-life balance, extended hours, perceived unfair treatment, and lack of autonomy contribute to stress that can affect health even in a white-collar setting.
Stress-Related Behaviors
Moreover, being in a stressful job can indirectly harm health. Stressed individuals tend to smoke, drink, overeat, engage in drug use, and neglect exercise. Thus, workplace stress influences both direct health issues and unhealthy lifestyle choices.
A Public Health Crisis
Pfeffer emphasizes the profound link between poor health and unhealthy work environments, claiming it has been extensively studied over the years. He posits that this situation represents a major health crisis, contributing to an estimated 120,000 premature deaths annually in the U.S.
Employer Implications
Interestingly, evidence suggests that stressful work conditions are detrimental for organizations as well. Stressed employees often quit and are more likely to show up to work unwell. Additionally, excessive working hours can reduce overall productivity.
The Need for Company Responsibility
While some organizations, like SAS, DaVita, and Patagonia, manage their employees effectively, Pfeffer believes that this is insufficient. He stresses that job safety should not rely on individual CEOs’ decisions, asserting that everyone deserves a job that does not jeopardize their health. He urges governments and companies to recognize the hidden crisis of toxic workplaces. Just as society has raised awareness about environmental pollution, Pfeffer suggests that workplace stress could be acknowledged similarly. Until improvements are made, he advises anyone in a harmful job to simply “quit.”
