Work-related stress risk factors and health outcomes in public sector employees

Introduction Work-related stress is one of the major concerns for occupational safety and health. Indeed, workplace stress may affect workers’ well-being and lead to health issues, and it has been estimated that about half of all work absence is due to work-related stress disorders. The objective of this study is to investigate associations between work-related stress risk factors and a set of health outcomes, in a sample of public sector employees. Material and methods Employees (N = 779) filled in a self-report questionnaire on work-related stress, musculoskeletal pain and stressrelated disorders. Logistic regressions were conducted, with pain and disorders as outcome variables and the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool (HSE-MS IT) scales as predictors. Results Excessive workload was associated with neck pain, shoulder pain and anxiety-depression symptoms. Employees exposed to risk on the role dimension reported higher neck pain and more gastrointestinal disorders. Hostile working relationships were associated with shoulder pain and gastrointestinal disorders, and lack of managers’ support turned out to be a risk factor for insomnia. Conclusions Workplace stress plays a role in the incidence of specific health outcomes. Through the use of validated work-related stress assessment instruments, such as the HSE-MS IT, management can identify the critical intervention targets in work design domains for improving workers’ health and well-being.