High workplace stress leads to less productivity in employees

A new research has revealed that employees are less productive if the workplace stress is high. According to Towers Watson's Global Benefits Attitudes survey, employees suffering from high stress levels have lower engagement, are less productive and have higher absentee levels than those not operating under excessive pressure.

The research showed that 57% of employees, who claimed to be experiencing high stress levels, also reported that they were disengaged. In contrast, only one in ten employees claiming low stress levels said they were disengaged and half of this group claimed to be highly engaged.

Rebekah Haymes said that the research clearly showed the destructive link between high levels of stress and reduced productivity and added that wellness was about promoting changes in behaviour and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Haymes noted that companies could take more responsibility for educating employees about the benefits of better sleep, physical activity, good nutrition and a work life balance in order to keep employees healthy, happy and productive. Haymes continued that some companies were making great progress in this area and were already starting to see the business benefits of having a healthy workforce.