October Health – 2025 Report

Work stress in United States

The leading causes of work-related stress in the United States population include: 1. **High workload and long hours** - Excessive workloads and demands contribute significantly to stress levels. 2. **Lack of control or autonomy** - Employees often feel stressed when they lack control over decisions affecting their roles. 3. **Job insecurity** - Economic uncertainties and fear of job loss are prevalent stressors. 4. **Poor work-life balance** - Difficulty in maintaining boundaries between work and personal life adds to stress. 5. **Demanding workplace culture** - Unrealistic expectations, lack of support, and toxic environments exacerbate workplace stress.

← back to the Report
Work stress Prevalence
27.77%
Affected people
15,273,500

Impact on the people of United States

  • Physical Health Effects:

    • Increases risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
    • Leads to frequent headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue.
    • Weakens the immune system, leading to frequent illness.
    • Promotes unhealthy coping mechanisms like overeating or alcohol use.

  • Mental Health Effects:

    • Increases risk of anxiety and depression.
    • Causes difficulty focusing, memory issues, and irritability.
    • Heightens burnout, leading to feelings of detachment or lack of motivation.

  • Impacts on Personal Life:

    • Strains relationships due to mood changes or reduced quality of interactions.
    • Decreases time and energy for family or leisure activities.
    • Reduces sleep quality, affecting overall well-being and personal productivity.

Suggest:

  • Encourage participation in workplace wellness programs, such as digital support tools like October for group mental health support and sessions.
  • Promote stress management techniques like mindfulness, exercise, and better workload management.

Impact on the United States Economy

Effects of High Work Stress on an Economy:

  1. Reduced Productivity: Employees experiencing high levels of stress are more likely to have decreased focus, efficiency, and overall productivity, directly impacting business outputs.

  2. Increased Absenteeism: Stress often leads to burnout, mental health issues, and physical illness, causing workers to take more days off, which disrupts workflows.

  3. Higher Employee Turnover: A stressful workplace can lead to dissatisfaction, causing employees to leave, which increases recruitment and training costs for companies.

  4. Healthcare Costs: Chronic stress is linked to various health issues, leading to higher medical expenses for both employees and employers, which can strain public and private healthcare systems.

  5. Loss of Innovation: Stress can stifle creativity and problem-solving abilities, diminishing a company’s and economy’s potential for innovation and growth.

  6. Economic Costs Due to Disability Claims: Prolonged stress may lead to mental health-related disability claims, increasing costs for governments and insurance systems.

Solutions:

  • Promote mental health support at the workplace, such as programs like Panda offering digital group sessions or assessments.
  • Encourage work-life balance initiatives to reduce employee stress levels.

What can government do to assist?

  • Implement Labor Laws: Enforce comprehensive labor regulations, including reasonable working hours, mandatory breaks, and paid leave to reduce overworking and burnout.

  • Promote Work-Life Balance: Offer policies such as flexible working schedules, remote work options, and parental leave to help employees better manage their personal and professional lives.

  • Provide Mental Health Support: Encourage workplaces to offer mental health resources, such as counseling, wellness programs, and access to tools like October's digital group sessions and assessments.

  • Encourage Fair Wages: Ensure that employees are compensated adequately for their work, reducing financial stress and improving overall well-being.

  • Raise Awareness & Training: Organize national campaigns and workplace training programs to educate employers and employees about stress management strategies and recognizing signs of workplace stress.

  • Strengthen Job Security: Promote policies that provide stability, such as strengthening unemployment benefits and preventing unjust layoffs, to reduce anxiety related to job volatility.

  • Encourage Breaks and Downtime: Advocate for rest periods during work hours and ensure their enforcement to counter burnout.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

Ways a Company Can Lower Workplace Stress

  1. Promote Clear Communication

    • Set clear expectations for roles and responsibilities.
    • Provide transparent updates about organizational changes.

  2. Encourage Work-Life Balance

    • Offer flexible working hours or remote work options.
    • Encourage staff to take breaks and use paid time off.

  3. Provide Mental Health Support

    • Offer access to counseling or mental health programs like October's digital group sessions and assessments.
    • Train managers to recognize and address signs of stress.

  4. Foster a Positive Work Environment

    • Recognize and celebrate employee achievements.
    • Create opportunities for team bonding and support-building activities.

  5. Manage Workloads Effectively

    • Avoid overloading employees with unrealistic deadlines.
    • Regularly review team workload distribution to ensure fairness.

  6. Invest in Professional Growth

    • Provide training opportunities to help employees feel competent and grow in their roles.

  7. Track and Assess Stress Levels

    • Regularly survey employees on workplace stress to identify problem areas.
    • Use mechanisms like October assessments to evaluate employee well-being.