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Employers are seeing the growing consequences of stress in their workplaces in the form of absenteeism, lowered productivity, workplace conflict, mental health problems, and rising benefit costs. Many employers want to know how to effectively prevent these problems.

• Stress, burnout and physical or mental health issues are the main issues limiting productivity in Canada, according to Canadian CEOs.
• Workers who report a high degree of stress balancing their work and family life miss 7.2 days of work each year, while those who report very little stress only miss an average of 3.6 days.
• Disengaged, overworked and stressed employees cost 5- 7% of payroll in lost productivity, according to the Watson Wyatt report.
• Disability costs represent 12% of payroll costs. Mental health claims, particularly depression, are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada.

Employers should embrace the following healthy workplace practices to increase employee satisfaction, productivity and retention:

• improved communication
• work-life balance
• respectful workplace initiatives
• employee participation and decision-making
• employee recognition programs
• conflict resolution practices