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Survey Says: Why Are Employees More Stressed Right Now?
New surveys reveal surprising findings about work-related stress, family business succession and why women may be better gift givers than men.
Posted 12/ 20 10 at 3:00 PM | Business Trends, Money, Management, Leadership
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It's been a challenging year for many of us -- and the increased stress levels of U.S. workers reflect that. Fewer owners of family-owned businesses think they'll be able to pass the business on to the next generation. And, on a lighter note, women seem to be better at bargain-hunting, which could come in handy when shopping for corporate holiday gifts. Here's a closer look at some of the latest small-business surveys.Stress Case
Apparently employee stress levels are climbing -- and it's not just due to holiday madness. A new study from ComPsych found that more workers are suffering from high stress levels than in 2009. Among the findings:
- 68 percent of employees say they are highly stressed, extremely fatigued and feel out of control.
- 27 percent have constant but manageable stress.
- 5 percent have low stress levels.
What's bringing these folks to the boiling point? Workload was blamed by 35 percent of employees, "people issues" came in a close second at 33 percent and a lack of job security stressed out 20 percent of respondents.
Stress doesn't just affect your staff -- it can hurt your business, with 44 percent of workers saying it costs them at least an hour of productivity a day. With numbers like that, it's worth thinking about how you can ease your staff's stress, even if that increases your own stress levels.
Family Business Outlook Uncertain
PwC U.S. recently released its second Family Business Survey (the first was conducted in 2007). While 72 percent of family business owners surveyed in 2007 said they intended to pass the business on to the next generation, only 55 percent said that this year -- suggesting family businesses are concerned about the economy's long-term growth prospects and their ability to thrive, or even survive.
Despite that, however, family business owners are more optimistic -- 58 percent think their core markets will improve in the next 12 months, 70 percent plan to expand and grow in the next 12 months, and 76 percent say they have access to surplus cash.
Part of the reason for this optimism may be that they aren't novices. Sixty-three percent have been in business for more than 50 years, and 37 percent have been operating 20 to 49 years, meaning they've gone through recessions before -- and lived to tell the tale.
Gift Giving on a Budget
Women have a reputation as better bargain-hunters than men. Does that extend to women business owners, too? Judging by the results of the 2010 American Express OPEN Small Business Holiday Monitor, I'd say the answer is yes. (Actually, based on my own experiences, I'd say the answer is yes, even if the survey didn't exist.)
So far this holiday season, when it comes to business gift giving, more female business owners than male business owners (40 percent versus 31 percent) found creative ways to give gifts without spending any cash, including using rewards points, bartering, making gifts or giving their company's products or services as gifts.
While 45 percent of male business owners will spend $500 or more on work-related gifts this season, just 22 percent of female business owners will spend that much. As an avid bargain-hunter myself, I'm certain this can be chalked up to smart shopping and spending, not Scrooge-like stinginess.
Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting company that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Follow Rieva at Twitter.com/Rieva and visit SmallBizDaily.com to sign up for her free TrendCast reports.
Getty Images
- JPMORGAN FIASCO: Why $2 Billion Is Just the Start - CNNMoney
- GET THAT JOB: Top 5 Interview Spending Splurges You Should Make - FOXBusiness
- WOMEN & WALL STREET: Most Powerful Women in the U.S. - InvestorPlace
- How to Thwart the Financial Advisors Mismanaging Your Money - The Motley Fool
- HOLLYWOOD CASH: Glitzy Obama-Clooney Fundraiser Breaks Records - IBTimes
- JOBLESSNESS MADE WORSE: 200,000 About to Lose Unemployment Benefits - CBS MoneyWatch
- LOOKING UP: Consumer Sentiment Rises as Gasoline Prices Fall - 24/7 Wall St.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I really don't think I'm getting what I am supposed to be gettng from this article. Most of it seems to be centered on older small enterprise owners. In my mind there is a good reason for them to be stressed. Number One issue not mentioned here is the inheritance tax, (death tax, for democrats,) or the estate tax for anyone else. These older entrepeneurs do not want to see there businesses sold off for "Estate Taxes." A business/estate valued at $10 million dollars may have to pay up to $5.5 million dollars in tax. That means the beneficiaries (family) will have to raise $5.5 million dollars and "GIVE" IT TO THE GOVERNMENT. What do they get for that much money? Zero- hence stress.
i just let the last of my 6 employees go. i will be next.25 years gone.maybe i'll move to cuba,they are looking for entrepeneurs
So what are these people calling small business to begin with? Secondly, let's get to the bottom line! The rich, elite, and their business's are the CAUSE of most of it to start with! 80% of all mortgage fraud IS and WAS caused by the Rich, Elite, and their business's! So THEY are the problem here! But yet it's the Repubs that want to pay them more money so they can put us down more? The mortgage fraud was a direct attack by the rich, elite, and their biusiness's AGAINST the middle and lower classes, pure and simple!
Its not rocket science !! Sheesh And they PAY you to come up with this report? Gas is at 3.14 cents a gallon the economy is in the shi**ter gee ! I don't know why my employees are stressed,Not to mention the unemployment rate ? Are you living under a rock or what !?
Dogma of the "Rich" goes on with Democrats.......something for nothing,
just vote for me ! The poor are getting screwed by the Dems, inflation and lost taxes are now permanent, America is getting weak and debt levels signal a crash coming, get ready !
I can do the work. The work is fun. The more the better.
The problem is being policed with all sorts of complicated rules and
procedural methods that have nothing to do with any product or service.
I'm saying, if we want to truly do something positive to restore jobs in this country we have got to deal with all this insourced labor from these 3rd world countries. There's real trouble brewing on the horizon if we just sit here doing nothing about it. Our American way of life is in for a real wake up call. We are placing ourselves in grave danger by allowing these foreigners insight into our most sensative technologies
could it be because you work for the banksters?
Don't know what you're supposed to get from this article? It's the venting whine of those who thought their own well developed self-esteem entitled them to a job forever. Get real: You are no more or less than a business expense. When there is no business, expenses must be reduced, and that CAN include you. Too much stress? LEAVE. GO. Your employer, who is desparately trying to keep his doors open, and has trimmed his profit margin to the "why bother" point, won't be liable for your unemployment insurance costs.
Really!! I had 48 employees and am down to 6 now. Stress? give me a break. Like the other guy said. You get paid to write this? The answer is simple. CUT govt. spending, reduce taxes, furlough the politicians and lets see what the results are.
I am a contractor who use to have 8 employees working for me on payroll. Today i have 3 workers working for my company. I pay them under the table with cash. If i place them on payroll then i would have to charge a higher fee to my customers that i provide service to. Then the customers will seek to find another contractor who pays thier workers cash. Workmans compensation fees and payroll fees have skyrocketed. Survival is the key to staying in business.
Pleasantnow? Nothing pleasant about you. Name calling and insults are what 5 year olds do. Stick to commenting on the article, not blasting the people commenting.
Troy .Why dont you get a brain. Cutting taxes and reducing govt spending are one in the same. Furlough the politicians. Lets get real. They only work about 150 days a year. Work any less and you wont have anything geting done.
Before you open your mouth about govt spending, why dont you tackle the real problem...WAR. No war= more money in our government coffers and lower taxes.
Charles, I get you and know that legal is sometimes another way to keep you from getting ahead. On the other hand, we need to do whatever it takes to stay legal. Have you thought of 1099 employess?
May sound like a dumb question but that is the way I have gone to pay less in taxes. I don't like it but it has become necessary. The deck is not stacked in favor of the small business. We are the middle class and poor of the business world. I am not whining only making an observation.
Charles. I hope your customers realize that what you are doing is illegal. They probably dont. You also run the risk of losing your license assuming you have one.
Work is not easy. thats why they pay you to do it. This generation was treated by their helicopter parents like little prince and princess and expect their employers to do the same. Screw them and let them sink and wallow in poverty in their retirement years. I worked hard and am going to try to spend it all on the way out so nothing is left for anyone.
People are stressed because they have too many responsibilities and pressure. If they could find a way to make money from home like at www.poyr.com they would be lessed stressed out. Avoiding societies pressure is key.