We spoke with Josh Briley, Ph.D., Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in governmental agencies, universities and industry. He is a Fellow of The American Institute of Stress who frequently writes and speaks on the effects of poorly managed stress.
What kind of unhealthy conditions do white collar workers face?
Josh Briley: White collar workers face many unhealthy conditions that generally go unrecognized. Such conditions include their jobs being mostly sedentary, spending most of their workdays sitting behind a desk or in a meeting.
Staring at computer and phone screens for multiple hours a day is also unhealthy and has been linked to increased levels of stress, insomnia and development of near-sightedness.
Recent studies have shown that people who are sedentary for most of their days are at significantly higher risk for a variety of medical conditions. Some have even compared the health risks of being sedentary for long periods of time to those of smoking.
Some companies overwork their employees. Doesn’t that save money?
JB: Companies are not saving money in asking employees to complete a workload that would realistically need two or more people, because when your staff, who are burned out and disgruntled, inevitably leave, new employees have to be recruited and trained. In the meantime, all of the productivity of the seasoned staff is lost.
It is much more cost effective to ensure sufficient personnel are in place. If several members of a department are routinely working outside of normal business hours in order to meet objectives, then that team is woefully understaffed.
There have been reports of employees being overworked to death. Is this possible?
JB: In cases in which overworked is identified as contributing to an employee’s death, it is often the result of a toxic corporate environment.
Such corporations require unreasonably long hours, allow for little to no time off, require staff to provide an output more appropriately managed by two or even three additional staff, have demanding and often micromanaging supervisors, and reward performance no matter how unscrupulous or unethical the employee’s actions and attitudes may be.
The result is staff that spend the vast majority of their day sitting in front of a computer, feeling immense pressure to perform, not sleeping or eating adequately, isolating themselves from friends and family, and obsessing over their jobs.
This combination is deadly, and it is not a matter of if, but when, such workers either suffer burnout, illness or even death.
What are ways for companies to reduce work-related stress?
JB: The most effective way to reduce stress among employees is to ensure they have the skills and authority to do their job without being micromanaged or having to run every decision past a committee or their supervisors.
Showing genuine appreciation publicly for the contributions of employees is also very effective in managing stress levels. If employees feel empowered and appreciated, they will be more productive, and report lower levels of distress.
How can companies empower their employees?
JB: The number one thing to help workers is to be respectful of them as human beings, of their time, and of their efforts for the company.
Show appreciation, not just for their work, but for them as an individual. A simple, “I appreciate you,” when speaking with employees goes a long way in helping workers reduce the level of distress they may experience.
Rather than just feeling like a “cog in the machine,” they will understand how they contribute, the value they bring to the company and they will more likely have a sense of ownership in what they do.
Are there environmental problems in many workplaces?
JB: Many offices have a lack of fresh air and sunlight, leading to decreases in vitamin D. Lighting is often harsh fluorescent lights that do not create an environment of comfort.
If an office has cubicles, then workers are housed in very close quarters, creating potential noise pollution. While it is impossible to find a temperature where everyone in the office is comfortable, in many offices the temperature on the thermostat is set more with a goal of cost savings than comfort of the employees.
The close quarters and self-contained central heat and air in most offices facilitate the spread of viruses from the common cold to COVID.
What can companies do to improve their physical work environment?
JB: Creating an office environment that is less industrial in appearance. Plants make the office feel more comfortable, while also helping to provide fresh oxygen into the environment.
They should also replace fluorescent lights with softer, more natural appearing light, which will also help the environment appear less harsh.
What should companies do about cubicles?
JB: If possible, minimize the use of cubicles, or at least give employees as much space and privacy as possible to complete their tasks with minimal distraction and ambient noise.
Some companies are developing “quiet rooms” or “meditation rooms” where workers can take a short break and decompress. When utilized properly, such areas are beneficial not just for morale, but also for productivity.
