Under Pressure, Under Occupation

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MODERN MALADY

Modern work’s stress overload is an interesting subject (Under Pressure, September). Donna Chisholm reports ably on the phenomenon and has suggestions on how to ease it, aided by several contributors – like [Otago University researcher] Associate Professor Stephen Bunn and [Auckland counsellor] John McEwan. Chisholm shows evidence the phenomenon is very much on the increase in today’s employment situations. I retired more than 20 years ago, but to me that certainly seems to be the case. But why is stress on the increase these days. Why are we more anxious today?

I believe the biggest change we see in today’s work environment is how most jobs have become increasingly complex,