In Danger: 75 % Of Nigerian Workers Are Under Stress - Study

Economic volatility has increased pressure on Nigerian workers with 75 per cent reporting that they are seeing more stress-related illness since the downturn, finds the latest survey from global workplace provider Regus. 

But businesses can help change this trend as workers identified flexible working as critical to help ease work-related stress (84 per cent).

It is a well-known fact that the illnesses, connected with stress, can worsen or cause a whole series of health conditions ranging from obesity to heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, depression, gastrointestinal problems and asthma.

Building on Regus research last year, which found that 48 per cent of respondents globally felt their stress levels had risen in the past year, this latest study found that almost one third (30 per cent) of Nigerian workers are getting sleepless, as a result of stress at work.

According to the survey, which involved more than 20,000 senior executives and business owners across 95 countries, in West Africa stress is causing a worrying increase in absenteeism (60%) damaging business productivity as well as worker well-being.

More results of the survey:

22% - worry about losing their job;

29% - feel less confident about the sector they work in;

36% - say their families and friends have noticed they are stressed by work;

56% - confess that stress is damaging their co-worker’s personal relationships

Commenting on the study, Joanne Bushell, VP Africa at Regus says: “Difficult economic times in the West and an unprecedented rate of growth in emerging economies have put a strain on businesses and their employees."

According to her, workers are expected to do more with less, as a result of which they become worrisome and sleepless.

She points out that in such a case their health is in real danger, as stress is a known catalyst for a number of serious illnesses. 

The Nation