Managing Work Place Stress
What Causes Stress in the Workplace?
“Stress is a reaction to a situation – it isn't about the actual situation.
We usually feel stressed when we think that the demands of the situation are
greater than our resources to deal with that situation” (Canadian Mental
Health Association, 2018)
Workplace stress is the harmful physical and
emotional responses that can happen when there is a conflict between job
demands on the employee and the amount of control an employee has over meeting
these demands. In general, the combination of high demands in a job and a low
amount of control over the situation can lead to stress.
Stress points certainly
vary among industries and different roles, but many overlap. These can include:
1) Downsizing
A bad economy or a company experiencing a budget crunch leads to downsizing. Every worker, whether hourly or salaried, experience stress from the fear of losing their job, particularly if they see others around them getting the pink slip.
2) Increased work loads
When there are layoffs, other workers are required to pick up the extra load. This is both physically and mentally exhausting. Salaried workers may find themselves putting in longer hours to get their work done without the benefit of overtime, and hourly workers may be forced to work harder to get the job done in the same amount of time. Either way, it’s stressful. [K Gyllensten, S Palmer - Health education journal, 2005 - journals.sagepub.com]
3) Pressure to perform
A workplace that fixates heavily on measuring performance and productivity might not realize that those things are putting stress on workers .
4) Longer work hours
Salaried and hourly workers who pull in longer hours suffer various health problems based on the type of work they do [Kent 2018]. They have a higher propensity for heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain. Unhealthy workers don’t combat stress well; the two compound each other, with stress causing health issues and health issues feeding into stress.
5) Issues with coworkers
You may spend nearly as much time with coworkers as your friends and family (if not more). If you don’t get along with the people you work with, this can cause anxiety and low productivity and morale, among other issues.
6) Sickness
As mentioned, stress makes you unhealthy. Stress has physical repercussions, and lots of job stress leads to sick employees. This means absenteeism, or higher health insurance costs for employers.
7) Depression
Without good coping strategies, stress can lead to depression
8) Violence
25% of workers have felt like screaming at a coworker because of stress, while 14% have felt like hitting one. Stress puts employees on edge with each other in a dangerous way.
9) Reduced productivity
If you’re stressed out, you’re not going to be operating at peak productivity. You’re going to miss deadlines.
10) Problems at home
When work is stressful, it tends to bleed into an employee’s home life. That compounds, and they bring that home stress back to work. It’s a brutal cycle that can bring employees to a grinding halt.
Why Is Job Stress So Harmful?
Methods to Overcome Work Place Stress
Encourage Work place wellness
- Provide gym memberships
- Organize yoga classes
-
Hold
a steps contest among teams for those who own fitness trackers
-
Provide
healthy snacks during breaks
Revamp the habitat
-
Update the office with an upbeat color scheme, additional
plants, or photos
Allow Flexible hours and
remote working
-
You hired your employees because you have confidence in their
ability to do their jobs well and in a timely manner—so let them prove it
Encourage social
activity
-
Employees spend a lot of time together, and the more comfortable
they are, the less stress they will feel. As coworkers get to know each other,
expectations and communication barriers are broken down
Provide on-site or
distance counselling
-
Many companies have also begun providing counseling as a way for
employees to help deal with stress
Recognize the employees
-
Employees love being praised for a job well done, and
recognizing their success results in a serious boost in engagement
Conclusion
It
is very important to manage stress as it will affect work life as well as the
personal life. Healthier employees operating under manageable
levels of stress will be happier and more positive, helping to maintain a
strong, healthy workplace culture that's conducive to creativity and
productivity.
Reference
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/work-related-stress [Accessed 18 March 2022]
https://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/workplace-stress-silent-killer-employee-health-productivity [Accessed 18 March 2022]
https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/ccupational-health-stress-at-the-workplace [Accessed 18 March 2022]
Work-related stress can be caused by poor work organization (the way we design jobs and work systems, and the way we manage them), by poor work design (for example, lack of control over work processes), poor management, unsatisfactory working conditions and lack of support from colleagues and supervisors.
ReplyDeleteGood explained 👍👍
ReplyDeleteThank you Lakshitha
DeleteYou have well explained the reasons for the job stress.Good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sachini
DeleteYou choosed very important topic for discussion because nowerdays, work place stress more for many of us with country situation.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think ?is it really supporting, current HRM practices for manage the work place stress?
Heavy workloads, no support, poor management can cause work place stress and as you have mentioned encouraging work place wellness, social activities, giving recognition can reduce stress levels and increase productivity of organizations. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteVery important topic. Making a stress free work environment will lead to better results and growth of an organisation.
ReplyDeleteOnce of the daily experiencing topic, ”Work place Stress”. You have clearly identified the reasons for workplace stress, why it is harmful and how to overcome the Work place stress. Well written, informative and good luck.
ReplyDeleteWork Place stress is one of most common issue facing by employees. The efficiency and the effectiveness of the employee severely effected due to high stress situation. On the other hand it affects Bothe mental and physical health of the employee badly. You have well explained the effects and how to overcome stress by your article. Really valuable Blog. All the best..
ReplyDeleteStress makes you unhealthy and unhappy. Improving several areas which effect to mental health of employees are very important to get good outcomes from them. Examples counselling, motivation programmes, organising fun events etc. Well explained article.
ReplyDeleteIt is essential for healthy employees to work under stress levels that are tolerable. They will be happier and more positive, contributing to the maintenance of a strong, healthy workplace culture that encourages innovation and productivity. Good luck!!
ReplyDeletemost valuable topic to who busy people & appreciate your suggested idea to overcome the stress like , Provide gym memberships
ReplyDelete- Organize yoga classes
- Hold a steps contest among teams for those who own fitness trackers. Why don't you suggest a salary increment policy to organizations? i hope it will help to reduce stress, BC most are stressed with their own home money issues brought to the office :)
Dimunge wasantha.
most valuable topic to who busy people & appreciate your suggested idea to overcome the stress like , Provide gym memberships
ReplyDelete- Organize yoga classes
- Hold a steps contest among teams for those who own fitness trackers. Why don't you suggest a salary increment policy to organizations? i hope it will help to reduce stress, BC most are stressed with their own home money issues brought to the office :)
Dimunge wasantha.
The mental and physical responses to a mix of variables or a single occurrence at work are referred to as workplace stress. These pressures are frequently linked to workplace, coworkers, and professional expectations. Regardless of their sector or profession, most people feel work-related stress in the form of tension or anxiety on a regular basis. There are numerus methods which could follow by HR to manage the work related stress of its employees .
ReplyDeleteYour article provides a clear understanding about the topic.
Well-done Dilini.
These last few months have shown us how quickly our world can change. The ability to be adaptable and flexible has taken on a new perspective. Information, plans, teams, and customers have shifted at a dizzying pace, accompanied by a higher level of fear and anxiety. Specially as bankers, managing work stress is becoming a big priority for many.
ReplyDeleteTimely valued writing. Good luck Dilini!
Stress management is a crucial skill set in life. Therefore stress management is critical since it has an impact on both professional and personal life. In the current global pandemic situation and economic slowdowns, stress is becoming a major issue. Well written blog.
ReplyDeleteWork-related stress is a growing problem around the world that affects not only the health and well-being of employees, but also the productivity of organisations. This blog clearly explains how to manage the work place stress
ReplyDeleteWorkplace stress can be caused by heavy workloads, lack of support, and poor management, and as you mentioned, encouraging workplace wellness, social activities, and giving recognition can reduce stress levels and increase organizational productivity. Best of luck!!
ReplyDeleteEach and every person has experienced stress in different levels during the life time. It is said that stress is beneficial to a certain extent. When stress exceeds the preferable level it is harmful as you have explained above. Work place stress is something which is unavoidable. So it is important to manage stress in order to have better mental and physical health. You have pointed out main reasons causes work related stress and methods to overcome the issue. Also Anxiety, headaches, increase in absenteeism, isolation, issues in inter personal relationships, diminishing performance, decline in creativity are examples for symptoms which are associated with work place stress. An organization should take actions to ensure a better working environment for its employees. It is beneficial to the company too. You have presented an informative article regarding managing work place stress. Well done
ReplyDeleteStress in workplace is curial for most of the employees in present context which is arisen due to various reasons. Impact of the stress due to work life is not limited to the workplace and same will have negative impact of personal life of the employees also.
ReplyDeleteMost of the large-scale organizations are taking so many steps to avoid work stress and this article indicated overall summarized story about work place stress.
An interesting and important topic. In a dynamic world people are struggling to balance their personal life with work life. Managing stress level in employee will directly effects their outcome.
ReplyDeletewell done.
Working under reasonable stress levels is vital for healthy employees. They'll be happier and more upbeat, helping to maintain a strong, healthy workplace culture that fosters innovation and productivity.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important and timely article. These days, stress in workplaces are rising dramatically not to mention in the society. As a result of that , knowing what it is, and how it should overcome will be important to both employer and employee. This article will help a reader to understand that. GOOD ARTICLE. WELL DONE.
ReplyDelete