Nonprofit Jobs And Stress

One perception of nonprofit jobs is that they are very laid back and stress-free.  This couldn't be further from the truth.

There are many problems that crop up on a daily basis  in the nonprofit sector.  Whether it's continuing budget cuts on the state and local level or the work it takes to secure new donors, nonprofit work can cause a lot of stress for employees.  And that stress can lead to potential health problems.

At a recent conference on fundraising sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, some of the consequences of stress to employee health were discussed:

• For employees that report high levels of stress, health care expenditures are nearly 50 percent according to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
• More than 50 percent of American adults suffer adverse health effects because of stress.
• Stress has been linked to to the six leading causes of death: Heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.
• Women who work full time and have children younger than 13 report the greatest stress worldwide.
• 23 percent of women executives and professionals and 19 percent of their male peers say they feel "super-stressed."
• Signs of stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and low morale.

None of this information is meant to scare you from getting a nonprofit job.  The fact of the matter is that work-related stress can happen in any job.  If you see yourself suffering from stress, take immediate action to alleviate it.