Back hurt? Stomach feel queasy? Headache coming on? Maybe it’s another day at the office.
Nearly all of our readers said this week that the they believe the stress of work can literally make you sick.
One reader called work-stress illness “the 21st century plague,” while others lamented that layoffs, reorganizations and colleague infighting can definitely lead to health problems.
They were responding to a post this week on research finding that things like not feeling like you have the time to reach the goals set for you can be associated with feeling lousy.
Still, one reader offered a different perspective: “Big deal... try the stress of unemployment.”
For some readers, all that stress just isn’t worth it. In a separate post this week, we reported on a theory that women aren’t making it to the top management spots at the same rate as men because they are at least perceived to be less confident.
Some readers wondered whether some people are choosing not to pursue the management track.
“A significant portion of women don't WANT to be in charge, because they don't aren't willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of some fancy job title and a fat paycheck. Maybe the question shouldn't be ‘Why aren't more women at the top?’ but rather ‘Why are men so quick to sacrifice time with their families for the sake of career advancement?’” one reader wrote.
Still, other women lamented that their male bosses disregard their ideas or take credit for them, or said that when women act confident it can be labeled arrogant or bossy.
Other women said they have found a way to make it work.
“I guess I am one of few women that does speak up because I do work just as hard as the men in my office, and I deserve the same rewards. I have a family dynamic that allows me to be able to make exceptions and everyone is happy, and I do acknowledge that is very rare,” one reader wrote.