A Swedish study has found that it may be your heart that pays the price for dealing with a boss who causes you high amounts of stress. The research found that the workers who reported working for difficult bosses had higher
risks for angina, heart attack and death.
The study covered more than 3,000 Swedish men who had had their hearts checked between 1992 and 1995, and then were followed up on in 2003. In that period of time, 74 of the men had had heart attacks, angina or death from heart disease, the research found.
The scientists found that the men who had rated their bosses as more competent had lower rates of developing heart disease. On the other hand, the men who had rated their bosses as less competent had higher rates of heart disease, and that risk increased the longer they worked in that environment.
"Stress-related diseases are a large problem in our society," said lead researcher Anna Nyberg, from the department of public health sciences at the Karolinska Institute, and Stress Research Institute at Stockholm University Nyberg. "The workplace is one area in which stress occurs and thus can be reduced. This study suggests that managers have key roles in determining stress-related factors at work, which means that psychosocial work environment interventions could be directed towards managers in order to reduce stress in employees," she said.
Here's the story on the research study:
https://www.empowher.com/news/2008/11/25/bad-bosses-are-hard-heart
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I found this Swedish study very interesting. I wonder if there is a similar result in any research conducted in the United States. I would be curious to see if work environments are changing as a result of so many labor laws that promote safer work places. High pressure jobs that demand high performance from employees may have an effect on health due to the stress impossed by expectations from clients, bosses, peers, etc. Many "bosses" lack the leadership skills to lead people and are more concerned with the bottom line (profit) therefore the human factor is just the means to an end. Smart bosses will recognize the advantage of having "happy" workers to achieve higher productivity and at the same time providing opportunities for a balanced career-family life. There is not question that in today's world we are working harder and technology is made us available 24/7.
Americans for example are "connected" to lap tops, cell phones around the clock and while on vacation. I am sure our bodies will at some point suffer the consequences. Is it our choice? Or are our bosses' expectations that we are available around the clock?
Employees need to recognize when a balance point is needed to maintain healthy bodies. Stress is part of life but toxic stress is not what we need. "Barking" bosses could be just a piece of the puzzle in modern society but it is our work habits, expectations and priorities that have contributed to higher toxic levels of stress that are contributing to chronic conditions.
November 27, 2008 - 12:46amThis Comment