Workplace Stress and
Improving the Bottom Line
Living Unlimited Inc.
Terrie Stickle
Lauren Rowe
Workplace Stress: A Major Impact
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The 2000 annual "Attitudes In The American
Workplace VI" Gallup Poll sponsored by the Marlin
Company found that:
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80% of workers feel stress on the job
nearly half say they need help in learning how to
manage stress and 42% say their coworkers need
such help
In a study by the American Psychological
Association
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More than 1/3 stated they are typically stressed out
during the work day.
20% stated they had high daily levels of stress,
rated 8-10 on a 10 point scale.
The Bottom Line
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Stress Costs U.S. Companies
$150-300 Billion Dollars on an annual
basis!!
Factors in these estimates include:
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Sick Days
Medical Costs
Legal Fees
Decreased Productivity
Insurance Costs
Workers’ Compensation Costs
Long Term Disability
Turnover
Warning Signs for Stress
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Headache
Sleep Disturbance
Short Temper
Physical Illness or Manifestations
Difficulty Concentrating
Low Morale
Job Dissatisfaction
Warning Signs and the Bottom Line
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Headache
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Sleep Disturbance
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Low Productivity
Accidents
Low Morale
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Sick Days
Medical Costs
Difficulty Concentrating
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Low Productivity
Effecting other employees productivity
Taking time away from management/growth plans
Legal Costs
Physical Illness or Manifestations
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Low Productivity
Accidents
Short Temper
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Sick Days
Low Productivity
Job Dissatisfaction
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Turnover
Wellness Programs
What are they?
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Encourages healthy living to lower health
care costs
Discounts in Insurance or Rewards for
Participation for the Employee and
Employer
Aiding in:
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Diet
Exercise
Smoking Cessation
Stress Management
Counseling/Employee Assistance
Programs
Wellness Programs
What can they do?
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Decreasing Sick Days
Decreasing Medical Costs
Increasing Job Satisfaction
Increasing Job Retention
Healthier, Happier Employees
means more Productive Employees!
Stress relief resources
and Insurance Companies
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Capital Blue Cross - iCanRelax
People work with a coach on their own
schedule and receive a workbook,
relaxation CD, and stress relieving.
Aetna – Mindfulness at Work and
Viniyoga Stress Reduction
meditation and therapeutic yoga
Humana – Personal Health Coaching
Stress management with goals and action
plans for each individual
What you are noticing
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35% of respondents from our survey are
definitely offered stress management
Those that were offered stress
management have either not noticed any
improvements(50%) or have noticed
some improvements(50%) in the
workplace
No one reported noticing a great deal of
improvements.
What are your stressors?
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Biggest Causes as reported by you:
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Change
Increased Workload
Company Expectations
Lack of Communication
Conflict
Team Dynamics
Support/Lack of Support
Need for Personal/Self Care
Music Therapy and Wellness
What is it and how can it
encourage wellness
and stress relief?
What is Music Therapy?
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Music Therapy is the clinical and
evidence-based use of music
interventions to accomplish
individualized goals within a
therapeutic relationship by a
credentialed professional who has
completed an approved music
therapy program.
American Music Therapy Association
Uses of Music Therapy
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Promote Wellness
Manage Stress
Alleviate Pain
Express Feelings
Enhance Memory
Improve Communication
Promote Physical Rehabilitation
Music Therapy for Wellness
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Music Therapy can be used to:
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Address the needs of individuals and groups
Promote team building
 Increased Communication
 Develop Support Systems
 Awareness of Roles
Improve mood
Cope and adapt to change
Increase relaxation
Increase awareness and coping skills
 Self – stressors, triggers, body awareness
 Others – group understanding
Music Therapy and Wellness
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The music therapist would work with the
company or group to:
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Determine and Assess Needs
Develop Group Goals/Objective and Desired
Outcomes
 What are the most important areas for the
group to work on?
Determine Treatment Approach
 Small/Large Group or Individual?
 What techniques would best assist the group
in reaching goals?
Music Therapy for Wellness
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Activities could include but are not
limited to:
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Music Assisted Relaxation
Drumming/Instrument Playing
Song Discussion/Lyric Analysis
Music Sharing/Listening
Instrumental Improvisation
Singing
Songwriting
Companies that use
Music in Wellness Programs
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Toyota Headquarters has a drumming
room
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Stress relief
Group activities
Rhythm for Good, a Music Therapy
company from California works with:
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Red Cross of Southern California
Qualcomm
 Develops activities for day retreats
 Focus on wellness and group cohesiveness
Tips to Manage Workplace Stress
Musical
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Use music in the car as a buffer
between work and home
Choose music to help you
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Focus on a task
Relax
Make a difficult task more enjoyable
Sing to encourage breathing and
relaxation
Tips to Manage Workplace Stress
Non-Musical
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Organize your day and your desk
Do a self check – Be aware of your stressors and
your body
Take time to stretch
Ask yourself, Am I clearly communicating my
point?
Take time for yourself
Set reasonable standards for yourself and for
others
Join a gym to be a buffer between work and home
Breathe!
Discussion and Questions
How does your company encourage wellness?
What do you feel could improve or change?
How do you use music individually for stress?
How do you feel music therapy could be
incorporated into wellness programs?
Other thoughts and questions
Resources
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http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/phwasurvey-summary.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/
http://workplacepsychology.net/2011/01/09/thetrue-financial-cost-of-job-stress/
http://www.musictherapy.org/
2000 annual "Attitudes In The American
Workplace VI" Gallup Poll sponsored by the
Marlin Company
Kat Fulton and http://www.rhythmforgood.com/