Job Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Work-Related Illness in Offices

A questionnaire survey of demographic, environmental, psychological, and occupational influences on health was conducted in 6 office buildings in the UK. A total of 486 completed questionnaires were analyzed (85% response rate). The results showed that the prevalence of symptoms was not associated with job satisfaction, and the previously reported sex difference in symptom prevalence was not confirmed although this approached significance. The results suggest that work-related illness is strongly associated with self-reported job stress and negative perceptions of the office environment i.e. dissatisfaction with temperature, ventilation, lighting, and noise.