“Remember that stress doesn’t come from what’s going on in your life. It comes from your thoughts about what’s going on in your life”( Andrew Bernstein).
Workplace stress is psychological stress related to one’s job and it is related to a chronic condition. Individuals can experience work-related stress as a reaction to pressure and demands at the workplace, which might not be compatible with their skills and knowledge and it tests their capacity for adjustment. Although stress can develop under a variety of work conditions, it frequently worsens when staff members feel they have little support from supervisors and fellow workers. They might feel that the work they generate has little influence over work procedures. Stress and pressure are frequently confused, which is used to justify poor management techniques.
Stress at work is inevitable because of the requirements of the professional world. Depending on what is available and the skill set of an individual, the pressure affects the mental health of employees. Work pressure, that is deemed acceptable by the individual may keep employees awake, engaged, eager to learn, and able to work. On the other hand, stress is a result of an excessive or uncontrollable workload. Employee health and company performance are negatively impacted by excessive stress.
FACTORS THAT CAUSE WORK STRESS
- Poor performance
- Low morale
- Poor motivation
- Conflicts with co-workers and bosses
- Sexual harassment
- Work overload
- Job insecurity
POOR PERFORMANCE
It is described as an employee’s performance that might be below his goals or expectations. They can be unable to complete their tasks timely and they may have an irresponsible attitude.
LOW MORALS
Employees with low morale are more likely to involve in conflicts with co-workers and employers. They always blame their colleagues for everything and always avoid group tasks.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
It is the most basic issue in the workplace and it is quite common nowadays. This is not for female workers only; even male workers are facing this issue evidently. According to a study workplace, sexual harassment is responsible for mental conditions such as stress, depression, and anxiety, which lowers organizational performance and productivity. (Gary Pinchen., December 29, 2022).
WORK OVERLOAD
Work overload badly affects an employee’s performance. They cannot perform to the usual standards if there is work overload. So, to complete the assignment as soon as possible they may neglect final changes and final checks, resulting in poor performance.
RISK FACTORS OF WORK-RELATED STRESS
There are various risk factors due to the work-related stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance use disorder
- Burnout
DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
Work overload has a significant negative impact on mood and emotional health, which accordingly has a negative impact on job performance. Relationships with coworkers, managers, friends, and family might suffer, due to exasperation and irritation. Worrying excessively about your workload intensifies anxiety and raises your level of workplace unhappiness. Fears about not keeping up can result in low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy, especially if the employer mentions pushing up the pace.
Anxiety, helplessness, and depression all go hand in hand. When workers feel they are already performing at maximum capacity, sadness might set in, especially if they don’t think their supervisor is approachable. Depression lowers loyalty to the company and lowers morale. Employees may even search for fresh employees with more approachable personalities and the mentally distressed employees might lose their jobs.
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
Workers who are stressed at work are more likely to engage in unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse because an individual is findings ways to cope with stress related to their job. A study revealed that people with unhealthy coping mechanisms frequently use alcohol or drugs to deal with mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. One study found that 20% of people said an employee using substances put their safety in peril at least once but those with alcohol abuse problems are 2.7 times more likely to get injured at work (The Dunes East Hampton. July 8, 2022).
BURNOUT
Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress without being able to alter or change it. At this stage, we begin to feel emptiness, lack of motivation, and hopelessness.
CONCLUSION
Workplace stress is an important contributor to mental health problems, and it leads to a wide range of issues. Studies have shown that workplace stress is one leading cause of work-related illness and absences, and it can affect physical and emotional well-being.
Employers are responsible to ensure employee safety and they are required by law to provide a healthy working environment, which includes addressing and managing workplace stress. So, individuals can also take steps to manage workplace stress, like setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and seeking support when needed.
Read my previous post about the ADVERSE EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON MENTAL HEALTH
