Bragging about how stressed you are at work will only paint you in a bad light, a study has shown

“Broo I’m so tired, I barely got any sleep since I was up working all of last night.”

“I don’t know how you guys manage to catch up on your shows, I barely get time outside work for entertainment!”

Do these sound like things you say on the regular? If you're seeking just a bit of sympathy, or think that highlighting work stress might be a clever way to showcase your efforts in the office, a new study suggests there's a good chance this could bite you in the rear.

“This is a behaviour we’ve all seen, and we all might be guilty of at some point,” explains study author Jessica Rodell. “When I was wondering about why people do this, I thought maybe we are talking about our stress because we want to prove we're good enough. We found out that it often backfires.”

The research team conducted an initial survey with 360 participants, who rated imaginary co-workers based on their statements after returning from a conference. The results were telling: colleagues who framed the conference as an additional stressor on their already overloaded schedules were seen as less competent and less likeable. Moreover, participants indicated they would be less willing to assist these stress-bragging co-workers.

"People are harming themselves by doing this thing they think is going to make them look better to their colleagues," Rodell notes.

Stress can be contagious

A follow-up survey involving 218 real-life employees supported these findings. It also revealed another troubling trend: employees exposed to stress-bragging colleagues reported higher levels of personal stress and burnout. This suggests that stress-bragging doesn't just damage the braggart's reputation but also negatively impacts the broader workplace environment.

Rodell explains that this behaviour fosters a culture where chronic stress is seen as normal and even admirable. When colleagues constantly see someone talking about their stress, they may begin to view it as a good thing. They then end up feeling more stressed themselves, leading to a spiralling contagious effect, according to the authors.

Interestingly, the study found that merely being perceived as stressed didn’t generate the same negative reactions. If colleagues noticed someone was stressed without them boasting about it, they actually saw that person as more competent.

So, what's the takeaway for employees and managers? For employees, it's crucial to avoid using stress as a way to signal commitment or capability. “If you genuinely feel stressed, it’s OK to find the right confidant to share with and talk about it,” Rodell advises. “But be mindful that it is not a badge of honour to be bragged about.”

Meanwhile, managers need to be vigilant about the stress-bragging culture within their teams. Recognising and addressing this behaviour is vital to prevent its negative spillover effects. By fostering a supportive environment that values well-being over chronic stress, both employees and managers can create a more positive and productive work culture.

The findings of this research have been published in Personnel Psychology and can be accessed here.