Workplace Stress: General Overview
Workplace Stress: General Overview
Workplace Stress: General Overview
GENERAL OVERVIEW
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.
Work can negatively affect our health, an impact that goes well beyond the usual counts of
injuries, accidents, and illnesses from exposure to toxic chemicals. Increased levels of job
stress can be associated with increased rates of heart attack, hypertension and others. It is also
associated with depression, anxiety, and burnout. All of which may contribute to overall
career frustration.
It is not the job but the person-environment fit that matters. Some individuals thrive in the
time urgent pressure cooker of life in the fast lane, having to perform several duties at the
same time and a list of things to do that would overwhelm most of us — provided they
perceive that they are in control. They would be severely stressed by dull, dead end assembly
line work enjoyed by others who shun responsibility and simply want to perform a task that is
well within their capabilities.
Generally, stress differs with regards to different occupations and individuals. Stress is a
highly personalized phenomenon and can vary widely even in identical situations for
different reasons.
CAUSES OF WORKPLACE STRESS
Job strain (that is, work which combines high psychological job demands with low job
control. Job demands are defined by questions such as “working very fast,” “working very
hard,” and not “enough time to get the job done, and doing the job into the night)
Criticised constantly and never praised
Under times of stress, a balanced diet, exercise, and sound sleep can lay the foundation for
effective stress management.
Prioritizing/managing your time more effectively; while others may require acceptance and a
reorganization of your priorities for the week.
If you find that your workplace stress is too much to handle on your own, seeking support
from a trained professional can be beneficial. They can help you to identify the sources of
your stress and develop strategies for dealing more effectively with work-related stress.