A recent Canadian study documented higher blood pressure in workers with high job strain and low levels of co-worker support. High job strain is defined as work that is high in mental and emotional demand, with little independence or feeling of authority in decision making. Researchers followed nearly 7,000 workers for 7.5 years. More men than women had high blood pressure associated with job strain, and those that did not feel encouraged or supported by their bosses or fellow workers were particularly stressed. The authors emphasize that job strain could be lessened if employers loosened up the methods of achieving results, allowing employees to be more independent in choosing how they attained success. In addition, deadline pressure need be lessened and stimulating opportunities for employee growth could counter-balance job stress.
