Workplace stress driven by AI and pressure to master new skills

Stress at work is on the rise and it’s driven by factors both inside and outside the workplace according to a new study of 1,000 US office staff.

The report by online learning company Udemy reveals the number one stress factor outside of work is the current political climate (50 percent), while inside it's the fear of losing jobs to AI or new technology (43 percent).

Of those surveyed, 52 percent say they feel more stressed today than they did one year ago, and 23 percent believe their work stress has increased significantly over the past year. 60 percent of respondents report being stressed all or most of the time at work, but among millennial and Generation Z workers 64 percent are stressed most of the time, and 30 percent believe they are more stressed at work than their parents.

More men (27 percent) are concerned about the impact of AI or new technology on their jobs than women (20 percent). Training is seen as the best way of protecting themselves and reducing stress levels. Indeed, 42 percent have even invested their own money in professional development.

The number one form of stress relief workers use is company-provided training and professional development programs (58 percent), followed by meditation and/or physical activity (54 percent). 57 percent rank opportunities to learn and grow as one of the most important aspects of workplace culture.

Among millennials and Gen Z employees 54 percent prioritize more personalized, one-on-one coaching as their preferred form of learning. 48 percent think investing more in professional development is one of the best things their company can do to alleviate stress. In addition, 47 percent say they would like to see their company provide on-demand learning opportunities.

"Workplace stress has reached unprecedented levels in America, with a unique confluence of internal and external triggers -- from a volatile political climate to the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace. At the same time, the skills required to do our jobs change about every three months, and pressure to adapt is relentless. This study shows that workers are responding to stress with a new self-driven approach centered around learning and growth," says Darren Shimkus, vice president and general manager for the Udemy for Business curated learning platform.

You can find out more about the results in the infographic below and the full report is available on the Udemy website..

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