Although workplace stress has fallen below pandemic levels, it has risen again as the job market becomes increasingly uncertain and some employees deal with alcohol and drugs, in some cases breaking down in tears at work.
About 53% of employees feel stressed at work, according to a follow-up poll conducted by Gallup in February, which asked respondents whether they felt stressed “for much of the day yesterday.” Nearly a quarter said they felt sad during the same period.
why? There are several reasons why, said Nellie Brown, director of the Workplace Health and Safety Program at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Brown says a lot has changed in the workplace since the pandemic.
“I feel like there’s more of a shortage issue,” Brown said. “In many jobs, people are working longer or more unusual hours.”
Half of workers say they feel stressed
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According to a 2025 study by the American Psychological Association, job insecurity has a significant impact on the stress levels of 54% of U.S. employees. Economic uncertainty and changes in government policy are cited as two main factors.
“We’re seeing an increase in overwork, poor work-life balance, and job insecurity,” said Joseph Mazzola, a psychology professor and director of the industrial-organizational psychology master’s program at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. “I think it’s consistent with the job market deteriorating, so employers don’t have to be as attractive to applicants and employees as they used to be.”
“We’ve seen a significant increase in shift work and overtime, especially in workplaces that are understaffed,” Brown said.
Many places require overtime, Brown said. “Many people are now working longer hours, going from eight-hour days to 10- or 12-hour days. And many have to work multiple jobs to make a living, which is taking a toll on our capacity and resilience.”
What makes workers so worried?
America’s unemployment rate may be low, but so is job growth. USA TODAY reported that many workers are feeling out of place due to the slow pace of hiring and the weakest labor market in years.
Other data shows the number of Americans worried about losing their jobs is starting to rise. In a typical year, about 14% of employees (post-pandemic average) expect to lose their jobs in the next year, according to the New York Fed’s monthly consumer expectations survey.
Recent findings on unemployment have exceeded that rate over the past year. The Fed polls about 1,300 U.S. households every month on economic issues.
What substances do Americans use to relieve stress?
How are workers coping? About 50% use drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, or nicotine after work to recover from work, according to a study by Drug Rehabilitation USA released March 18. About 30% report using drugs before starting work.
Drug Rehabilitation cites the “endless news cycle and global stress” as reasons why more Americans are using alcohol and drugs to relieve stress. Approximately 84% of those surveyed said financial issues influenced their decision to use drugs.
When do workers use substances to relieve stress?
Financial hardship isn’t the only cause of personal stress, drug rehab says. Other concerns include fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions and lack of affordable health insurance.
Family is also a factor.
“There are a lot of concerns about work-family balance, how people are going to care for childcare and aging parents,” Brown says. “They are what we call the sandwich generation, caring about the health issues of their aging parents and dealing with their own children.
“That’s why it’s growing so much.”
How many workers cry at work?
At least 39% of employees say they have cried at work at least once in their career. This was revealed by Resume Now’s online poll “Quiet Cry Report” conducted in December.
One-fifth of employees say they’ve never actually gotten sick, but have felt like it from time to time.
why? Almost half of those who said they had cried were worried about losing their job. Almost a quarter said they worry all the time or at least once a week. Approximately 27% of respondents said they were confident in their work.
Survey information resume now The Quiet Cry Report online survey was conducted by Pollfish in December 2025 among 1,018 full-time and part-time employed U.S. adults. drug rehabilitation usa The online survey was conducted on January 31, 2026 among 1,000 U.S. adults who were screened for substance use to manage daily stress. American Psychological Association The online survey of 2,017 U.S. adults was conducted by Harris Poll from March 26 to April 4, 2025.
Contributed by Jessica Guinn
SOURCE USA TODAY NETWORK REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS. Gallup; Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Drug Rehabilitation USA; Resume Now
