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Is Work Stress Affecting Our Home Lives?

Is Work Stress Affecting Our Home Lives?

June 8, 2023
Over 1 in 3 of U.S. workers said they miss out on nonwork activities due to exhaustion from work.

The answer to that question is yes, according to research from the  Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)  2023 State of Mental Health & Well-being in the Workplace Study.

Talking with over 1,000 workers between March 15 and March 28, many workers are “experiencing low energy and exhaustion at the end of the workday, affecting their capacity to participate in activities outside of work.” Looking at the specific activities the survey found:

  • One-third of the workers sampled in this study said it was difficult for them to unwind after work.
  • 2 in 5 U.S. workers in the study said they avoid tasks that require high focus or concentration after work.
  • Over 1 in 3 U.S. workers (38%) said they miss out on nonwork activities due to exhaustion from work.

And the numbers are somewhat surprising in that 47% say that they have little energy to participate in nonwork activities.

These findings are a call to action for employers according to Wendi Safstrom SHRM Foundation president. “Employers have the opportunity to provide mental health resources and inclusive environments that support and encourage their employees in their work lives and beyond. This discussion is critical to understanding the existing gaps and how workplaces can be a change agent.”

SHRM is trying to address the issue from a number of angles and here are some resources:

Workplace Mental Health Ally certificate

Mental Health in Your Workplace Field Guide

Mental Health in the Workplace

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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