Stress causes costs largely underestimated in business. Among the best known consequences absenteeism, resignations or unmotivated employees. This is why the prevention of stress can invest over the medium term.

It is necessary, first, to prevent stress, because without corrective action, this phenomenon tends to mechanically self-sustaining and grow. But what exactly is stress? It is a phenomenon of adaptation to events perceived as threatening the satisfaction of our basic needs. It is a response of the body to help deal with a problem or experienced as such. The problem is mainly because of three main elements characterizing this relationship (the stressful event, its perception and the consequences of the reaction) are intimately linked. Illustrate this with a typical sequence, I do not sleep well, I’m tired (e) in the morning, I make mistakes at work, customers are dissatisfied, I do not want my goals, I have more pressure I tend, moreover, to perceive more negative.

I am anxious (e), I sleep even worse. Too simple to be true? If this were the case, we would not be world champions the use of antidepressants. At the end of this vicious circle, invisible and quiet, the sudden shock can occur from exhaustion and sickness. A burnout often causes the absence of an employee for six months. It should also protect themselves from stress because its consequences prove contagious. Individual events (cognitive, behavioral, physiological, emotional) or collective (absenteeism, resignation, motivation, etc.). Distress of an employee affect mood and performance of colleagues. Thus, in business, it is not uncommon that some absenteeism causes workload of others. The latter becomes, then, in the long term, motivation or absenteeism. No specific action and appropriate, the situation worsens then inexorably. If the doctors tell us that flu is contagious, according to psychologists, a toxic atmosphere is not less.


Stress, enemy of profitability. Stress is therefore an economical cost. You know the value of your stock, the savings promised by your new software, and your financial dashboards are updated. Have you quantified the costs associated with absenteeism, turnover and morale in your company? If these costs are indirect and hidden, excluded because of accounting standards, they nonetheless potentially significant! Indeed, indirect does not presuppose the amplitude of the observed phenomenon, and hidden does not mean insignificant. In a knowledge economy and services, dependent on the creativity, flexibility and commitment of employees, stress prevention is a worthwhile investment over the medium term. To finish and good measure, the legislature invites debate. Now, prevention is necessary and is based on a legal framework that stuff over the years and the tragedies that occurred in France and elsewhere. So there are systemic reasons and economic interests to choose to prevent chronic stress before you have to pay a high price for the deal.