More American workers list stagnant paychecks than fear of losing their jobs as their top source of workplace stress, according to a recent survey.
The poll, which was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Everest College, found that 11 percent of the 898 employed adults surveyed named flat paychecks as their most stressful aspect of their work, compared with 4 percent who reported fear of being fired or laid off was their most stressful.
Other top concerns were work overload, annoying coworkers and commuting.
Editor's Note: 'It’s Curtains for the US' — Hear Unapologetic Warning from Prophetic Economist.
“After one year, two or three, people worry less about being let go by their employer,” said Christine Owen, an economist at the National Employment Law Project, Fortune reported. “And the kinds of jobs being created are not highly paid.”
Newly released federal census data cited by Fortune show that while the gender pay gap has improved for women, median earnings for men are sagging. Specifically, median income for women last year was $37,118, up from $28,699 in 1973, taking inflation into account. But median earnings for men fell to $48,202 this year, down from an inflation-adjusted $50,622 in 1973.
Meanwhile, working at low-income jobs provided almost no economic security or advancement in the past decade, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
A typical median household brought in 12.4 percent less income in 2011 than in 2010, the Institute reported. African-American households were hit the hardest, with median household income falling 16.8 percent, and Hispanic households experienced a 10.8 percent decline during the same time period.
Owen said two-thirds of the jobs lost during the recession and since were “mid-wage occupations,” while 58 percent of the jobs that have been created since the recession are considered low wage.
"With ongoing uncertainty gripping the job market and economy, it's only natural that job stress continues to be a major issue," said survey spokesman John Swartz, regional director of career services at Everest. "Anxiety among employees reduces productivity, lessens job satisfaction, lowers morale and has a negative impact on health. Workplace stress costs U.S. employers billions, and it's critical that both employer and employee take action to reduce this epidemic."
Editor's Note: 'It’s Curtains for the US' — Hear Unapologetic Warning from Prophetic Economist.
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