Jeffrey Pfeffer, a prominent professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business and author of "Dying for a Paycheck," dives into the alarming connection between workplace stress and health crises. He argues that the impact of overwork mirrors the dangers of smoking, potentially leading to 120,000 deaths annually in the U.S. The conversation challenges conventional views on employee well-being, calling for a cultural shift and stronger corporate responsibility to foster healthier work environments. It’s time to rethink our work dynamics for the sake of our health!
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Sundance's Story
Sundance Scardino, a former pararescueman and firefighter, didn't find his dangerous work scary.
He found it exciting but eventually retired due to accumulated physical and mental injuries.
insights INSIGHT
The Deadly Workplace
Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer argues that the modern workplace is deadly, causing significant health problems due to stress.
He compares the link between workplace stress and negative health outcomes to that of smoking and cancer.
insights INSIGHT
Employer Responsibility
Pfeffer emphasizes that employers bear responsibility for their employees' well-being.
He suggests employees entrust their psychological and physiological health to their employers.
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Jeffrey Pfeffer's "Dying for a Paycheck" explores the detrimental effects of workplace stress on employee health and well-being. The book argues that excessive work hours, lack of control, and economic insecurity contribute significantly to health problems and premature death. Pfeffer presents compelling evidence linking workplace stressors to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease and mental health problems. He advocates for systemic changes in workplace culture and policies to prioritize employee well-being. The book challenges the traditional view of work-life balance and calls for a more humane and sustainable approach to work.
Everybody Matters
The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family
Bob Chapman
Raj Sisodia
This book chronicles Bob Chapman's journey to find his true calling and transform the workplace culture at Barry-Wehmiller. It provides clear steps for leaders to reject traumatic consequences of rolling layoffs, dehumanizing rules, and hypercompetitive cultures. By treating employees like family, organizations can foster engagement, meaning, and shared purpose among their workers. The authors offer practical advice on how to create a caring and empathetic work environment, applicable to leaders of any size organization.
Is burnout simply the cost of doing business? What responsibility do employers have for the health and well-being of their workers? Jeffrey Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business and author of Dying for a Paycheck and 7 Rules of Power, says that the connection between workplace stress and negative health outcomes is as strong as the link between smoking and cancer — and may contribute to as many as 120,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone.
So what do we do about it?
Pfeffer’s answer isn’t just surprising — it’s a radical critique of the way we work today.
This episode features Sundance Scardino, a retired para-rescue specialist, firefighter, and paramedic.
If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.
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