Tip for a stress-free workplace: stress carries a $300 billion price tag for U.S. industries.

Most business owners face the common and costly problem of worker stress whether they are aware of it or not. In a recent Gallup Poll, 80 percent of workers said they feel stress on the job. Nearly half said they need help in learning how to manage stress, and 42 percent said their coworkers need help in coping with stress.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health defines job stress as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of a job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. Research shows that job stress can lead to several problems, including illness and injury for employees, as well as higher health insurance costs and lost productivity for employers.

Job stress comes with a costly price tag--more than $300 billion a year for U.S. industries, according to the American Institute of Stress. This total includes accidents, absenteeism, employee turnover and diminished productivity, as well as direct medical, legal and insurance costs to business owners.

For employees, stress can lead to illness, injury or job failure. For employers, research shows that a stressful work environment can affect the amount of their budget that must be allocated to employee health-care contributions. Health-care expenditures are nearly 50 percent greater for workers who report high levels of stress, according to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Job stress can lead to a variety of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders and workplace injuries.

Domino effect

Stress not only affects individual workers' health, but it also can create a domino effect on colleagues who have to fill in for absent co-workers for long periods of time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers who must take time off work because of stress, anxiety or related disorders generally are off the job for about 20 days.

Because some employees may not be comfortable speaking with their employers about stress, managers should watch for early warning signs such as complaints about headaches or sleep disturbances. Other indicators include difficulty in concentrating, short tempers or low morale. Signs that job stress may be a widespread issue within a company are health and job complaints among several workers, general low morale and high employee turnover.

Business owners can also reduce workplace stress by encouraging employees to take short breaks, making time for staff members to have fun in the office or occasionally providing special perks such as early departures. Another way to combat stress is to provide an Employee Assistance Program that offers confidential professional counseling.

Tom Shehan is Detroit area president of ADPTotalSource, a Bronze-level member of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

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RELATED ARTICLE: 7 ways to combat on-the-job stress

To help employees cope with stress before it affects their health or performance, business owners can:

1. Ensure that workloads are in line with workers' capabilities and resources.

2. Design jobs that provide meaning, stimulation and opportunities for workers to use their skills.

3. Clearly define workers' roles and responsibilities.

4. Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs.

5. Improve communications to reduce uncertainty about career development and future employment prospects.

6. Provide opportunities for social interaction among workers.

7. Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.