The report by the American multinational research agency sheds light on the significant stress levels employees face across different nations like Chad, and Tanzania among others within the sub-Saharan region of Africa.
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, an alarming 46% of workers face daily stress, with nearly equal representation among male and female workers. The persistence of employee stress, even as the region recovers from the pandemic's peak, underlines the need for organisational leaders to address this issue head-on.
Topping the stress list is Chad, where 58% of the country's employees face the highest stress levels daily. The reasons behind this are diverse, including economic challenges, political instability, and limited access to resources that contribute to a high-pressure work environment.
With 57% and 56% respectively, Uganda and Tanzania follow closely behind with their own unique sets of challenges that elevate stress levels among workers. From economic hardships to infrastructural deficits, these nations witness a daily struggle for their working population.
Ghana has also been identified as the fourth most stressful country for workers. Despite its growing economy, 54% of Ghanaian workers struggle with stress daily, which shoots the nation to a prominent position among stress-ridden work environments in Sub-Saharan Africa.
"The majority of the world's employees are quiet quitting. They may be physically present or logged into their computer but they don't know what to do or why it matters. They also don't have any supportive bonds with their coworkers, boss or their organisation," the report indicated.
However, the report highlights the pivotal role of employee engagement in mitigating stress and surpassing the influence of the work environment.
"While the debate over remote, hybrid, or on-site work continues, employee engagement remains paramount in reducing stress levels. The flexibility of remote work offers autonomy and well-being, valued highly by today’s workers," Gallup stated.