A new study, from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, shows that people who brag about being stressed are seen as less competent and likable by their coworkers. In a survey, 360 participants compared comments from fictional coworkers who had just returned from a conference. They rated these imaginary colleagues on likability, competence, and how likely they would be to help them at work.

The stress-bragging coworker described the conference as “just one more thing on my full plate. And I was already stressed to the max… you have no idea the stress that I am under.”

Participants rated this person as much less likable and competent than someone who either mentioned the stress of work or simply talked about how great the conference was. They also said they would be less likely to help the complaining coworker if they were overwhelmed at work.

“People are harming themselves by doing this thing they think is going to make them look better to their colleagues,” the researchers explain.

Backfiring

The researchers found similar results in a survey of 218 real employees about their experiences with stress braggart. They also discovered that employees with coworkers who frequently brag about stress reported higher levels of personal stress and burnout.

Bragging about stress makes it seem like chronic high-stress levels are a normal and expected part of the work culture.

“When somebody is constantly talking about and bragging about their stress, it makes it seem like it is a good thing to be stressed,” the authors say. “It just spills over onto the coworker next to them. They wind up feeling more stressed, which leads to higher burnout or withdrawal from their work. Think of it as this spiraling contagious effect from one person to the next.”

Doing it right

Just as important was what they didn’t find. People who casually mentioned their stress or were seen as stressed didn’t generate the same ill will from their coworkers, nor did they stress their coworkers out.

“It’s not the being stressed part that’s a problem,” the authors explain. “We found that if I see you as stressed, I actually think you’re more competent.”

The takeaway for employees is clear: think twice before boasting about your heavy workload or busy schedule.

“If you really feel stressed, it’s fine to talk about it with a trusted confidant,” the authors conclude. “But don’t treat it as a badge of honor—bragging about it will backfire.”