Dive Brief:

• A 2015 study published by Health Affairs found that people who report workplace stress can lose three years of their life.
• With other studies showing that up to 83% of people experience significant workplace stress, creating a productive work environment while reducing the negative effects of stress is critical to any successful organization, according to an article at Employee Benefits News.
• Authors Michael Friedman and Deborah McKeever write that many workplace interventions focus on individuals, not the organization. Yet, they say, it seems interventions that focus on the organization have increased efficacy in managing employee stress.

Dive Insight:

Friedman and McKeever report that improving the level of employee trust can reduce stress. But there's a problem -- a recent American Psychological Association survey found that 1 in 4 workers do not trust their employer, and only half feel that their employer is open and honest.

According to the article, research shows that employers can build trust by aligning the purpose of the organization with that of its employees. A "sense of purpose" is a critical aspect of individual well-being. Also, "clear and transparent" communications is another trust-building strategy because it raises predictability and sense of control in employees.

Sounds obvious, yet many employers might not be using these strategies to reduce workplace stress.