Some 78 percent of workers say stress depletes their defenses, increasing their chances to become ill this cold/flu season, according to a Tell It NowSM survey by ComPsych Corporation, the pioneer and worldwide leader in GuidanceResources ® (employee assistance programs, behavioral health, work-life, wellness and crisis intervention services).
When employees were asked, Will stress make you more likely to get sick this cold/flu season?
78 percent said: Yes, when I'm stressed, my defenses are down.
12 percent said: No, stress does not impact my defenses against illness.
10 percent said: I don't know.
"With the drive for efficiency and the back-to-business rush after the holidays, we are seeing consistently high stress levels in employees which could lead to more sick days this cold season," said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz,
chairman and CEO of ComPsych.
"Employers are seeing the link between stress, illness and absences and are addressing these issues with wellness and employee assistance programs that center on stress management and preventive care," he added. "In educating
employees on maintaining a reasonable diet, sleep schedule, work-life balance and exercise routine through these programs, organizations are investing in the health as well as attendance rates of their workforce."
The survey was conducted from Nov. 19 to Dec. 20, 2005, receiving responses from employees of more than 1,000 ComPsych client companies nationwide.
About ComPsych
Founded in 1984, ComPsych is the world's largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the leading provider of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, work-life, wellness and crisis intervention services under the GuidanceResources brand. ComPsych provides services to more than 23 million individuals and 6,000 organizations throughout the U.S. and 92 countries. Clients range from the Fortune 500 to smaller public and private
concerns as well as government entities and Taft-Hartley groups. ComPsych creates "Build-to-Suit" programs which help employers attract and retain employees as well as improve employee productivity and performance. For
more information, visit www.compsych.com.