Health-related complaints have been associated with work problems more frequently than with any other aspect of life, including financial and family problems. This study focuses on the association between stress at work and interruption of routine activities due to health problems. The study adopted a cross-sectional approach and is part of a prospective study of 2,343 technical and administrative employees at a public university in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known as the Pró-Saúde Study. Multivariate analyses were conducted using the generalized linear models and assuming a binomial distribution and log-link function. Men in jobs with heavy demands showed twice the prevalence of interruption of routine activities as compared to those not classified in this category (low demand; active; passive), after adjusting for age (PR = 2.06; 95%CI: 1.54-2.76). Among women, the outcome prevalence was 45% greater (PR = 1.45; 95%CI: 1.17-1.79).