This book investigates the systemic economic and human costs of workplace stress within the context of the enterprise culture established during the 1980s. Cary Cooper and Lawrence R. Murphy, both established experts in organizational psychology and occupational health, synthesize international data to examine how corporate environments impact employee well-being. The authors argue that the shift toward high-pressure management styles has resulted in significant financial burdens for businesses, including absenteeism, reduced productivity, and rising medical costs. By analyzing diverse global perspectives, the text provides a framework for understanding the intersection of organizational policy and individual health outcomes.

Experts in the field of occupational health recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the fiscal implications of employee well-being. Readers frequently note the academic rigor and the clear connection the authors draw between management policy and corporate financial performance.