A recent survey conducted by a leading answering service, VoiceNation.com, has revealed the most stressful times workers experience during their work lives. It has revealed the most stressful and least stressful days of the week, time of day, and the most stressful month across the year.
53% of Americans believe Monday to be the most stressful day during the working week.
The survey results show that Monday is overwhelmingly the most stressful day of the week for most Americans, with 53% reporting it as their peak stress day. The other days of the week pale in comparison:
Tuesday: 10%
Wednesday: 13%
Thursday: 9%
Friday: 14%
9 am working mornings are stressing American workers out.
When it comes to the time of day, stress levels peak in the mid-morning hours. The most stressful time reported is 9 am – 10 am, with 16% feeling the most stress during this period. Other significant stress times include:
7 am – 8 am: 14%
10 am – 11 am: 9%
2 pm – 3 pm: 10%
Interestingly, the evening hours saw a significant drop in stress levels, with only 2% feeling the most stressed from 6 pm – 7 pm.
The festive season is among the most stressful for workers.
The end of the year appears to be particularly stressful for Americans, with December being the most stressful month as reported by 31%. The stress levels are also elevated at the beginning of the year, with January coming in second at 19%.
Key findings for Michigan workers were similar to the national averages:
Most Stressful Day:
Monday: 58% of Michigan workers report Monday as their peak stress day.
Least Stressful Day: Thursday (5%)
Most Stressful Time of Day:
9 am – 10 am: 18% of Michigan workers feel the most stress during this period.
Least Stressful Time: 5 pm – 6 pm (2%)
Most Stressful Month:
December: 32% of Michigan workers find December to be the most stressful month.
Least Stressful Month: July (2%)
Sophie Hayes, HR and mental health advisor at Connective3, said: Employee stress levels aren’t just influenced by work but also by where they live. For example, employees in sunnier states often feel less stressed in the summer due to longer daylight hours and better weather. Conversely, those in states with harsh winters and shorter days might experience increased stress levels. These environmental factors play a crucial role in employee well-being.
Dan Marshall, Group Head of Digital at Moneypenny & VoiceNation spoke about some of the perks leading companies are offering their staff to manage stress:
Working from home: Be a flexible company with some staff being able to work remotely – this helps people have a better work-life balance, being able to finish at half past five and already be home.
Regular Breaks: Encourage outdoor breaks during daylight hours.
Mental Health Resources: Provide access to counseling and stress management workshops.
Promote Physical Activity: Offer an onsite gym — great for staff who want to take a break to work out. The gym is the perfect place to blow off steam and a great way to relax.
Employee Training and Professional Development: Encouraging staff to progress, so they offer employee training programs to help support staff to learn and develop throughout their careers.
Online GP Services & Health Cover: Staff have access to health support and online GP services, meaning they can fast-track appointments and have access to physical and mental health support.
Hayes said, implementing some or all of these strategies can help employees manage stress and prioritize their mental and physical health year-round. And while many Americans are less stressed during the summer months, always make sure to foster good communication so your staff are comfortable reaching out when stress begins to become too much.
To see the full report, which also reveals the states and industries that struggle the most in their job roles click here: https://voicenation.com/resources/the-most-burnt-out-states-in-america/
