The surgeon general, whose public announcements are typically focused on more immediate physical concerns like Juuls and vaccines, seems to have added overworking to his repertoire
, “to their mental health, and it turns out, to their physical health as well.” In the report, he characterized “toxic” work cultures as “disrespectful, non-inclusive, unethical, cutthroat, and abusive” but also mentioned a host of other workplace stressors: “heavy workloads, long commutes, unpredictable schedules, limited autonomy, long work hours, multiple jobs, low wages,” not to mention “hostile or dangerous working conditions, harassment, and discrimination.
Citing studies that link chronic stress to sleeping problems, substance abuse, depression, vulnerability to infection, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, he wrote, “While federal and state laws represent a minimum floor of protections for workers, organizations and employers can do more.” With that in mind, Murthy laid out an elaborate framework outlining how employers can invest in their employees’ health, emphasizing that it lies largely in the hands of a workplace’s leadership.