Karasek defined a stressful job as a job with an imbalance between the demands of the job and the control one can exercise in that job (a `high strain job'). Previous research showed that starters in a high strain job are indeed less satisfied. They are also not compensated for the high workload they face. This article raises the question whether this strain (`high strain job') is only temporary. The results of the duration analysis show that those starting in a high strain job leave their job significantly sooner than those in an `active' job. For many young workers, having a high strain job as the first job seems to be temporary. However, for a substantial segment of the young workforce, there is a considerable probability of remaining in high strain jobs. This finding determines the policy implication: the discussion on work stress should focus on those trapped in high strain jobs.
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