Rising stress levels in hack and flak land, part II

Yesterday we reported how stressful jobs in hack and flak land can be.

For hacks we had medical proof. For flaks, it was more anecdotal.

And there’s some embarrassment attached to this idea anyway. None of us is putting out (actual) fires or dodging actual bullets.

If you or I don’t turn up to work tomorrow, here is what happens: almost nothing.

Still, if you go to the National Accident Helpline website, both journalism and public relations make the list of stressful jobs.

My favourite listed reason for why PR is stressful? “Interaction with members of the public.”

I know how many of you find this difficult. They are awful, aren’t they?

Anyway, one additional, recent source of additional PR stress has been company mergers.

Bigger is better in the PR trade, nearly everyone agrees. Clients want global coverage; a London only firm can’t offer what the biggest companies need.

But bigger company culture doesn’t suit everyone.

Smaller firms tell me they have never found it easier to pick up experienced, but disaffected, talent from large PR firms.

The skilled PR happily in a niche they liked at a medium sized firm suddenly finds themselves answerable to a guy called Brad in Atlanta.

And they happen to think that Brad talks out of his American ass, and at the wrong time of day.

So those newly merged firms have got a personnel problem they may have anticipated when they signed the deal, but which is a problem nevertheless.

I’d name names, but you can guess easily enough.