Top 12 Causes of Work Related Stress
A survey conducted by American Psychological Association cited that 62% Americans are suffering from work related stress. This survey was taken in 2004. There is evidence that stress in general is rising exponentially in our society. Work stress has been rated as the most prevalent among the population, the second in the list is family related stress.
What is work stress? Quite simply it is any abnormal or continued stress which is felt on day to day basis in a professional or work centric environment. It is quite normal to feel slightly stressed while working, usually because we are trying to focus and concentrate, but if the levels of stress exceed the norm, or if there is a continuity of stress without relief, to the extent of causing mental disturbance then you are suffering from abnormal stress in the workplace.
What are the causes of work stress?
A list of the most common causes of work stress in todays professional environment is cited below
1. Role of technology on work related stress Our work style has become completely sedentary due to the influx of technology in our lives. Human beings are quite naturally adapted to leading a physically active lifestyle and our current habits are contrary to our physical needs. Muscle pain, back aches, neck pains, eye strain and other joint pains are a direct result of a computer oriented work culture. Weve become like machines tapping away on a keyboard.
2. Stress due to noise in open office Silence and peace go hand in hand. The continuous buzz of activity and noise around the office is a source of tremendous stress for most employees. Their nerves are always on the edge due to all the nervous tension around them. An open office will infer that there is no privacy either with leads to more stress.
3. Stuck in a job without interest Most employees are dissatisfied with their jobs, usually because it does not allow them to express their inherent potential or creativity. We humans are creative beings and there is a deep seated need to give expression to our creativity in some form or the other. A mundane or dull job usually does not meet this criteria, leaving us with acute job stress.
4. Abnormal job timings - Due to increased lay offs and reduced job openings, employees find themselves compromising with their personal life to suit their job requirements. Night shifts and overtime are becoming normal these days because there seems to be an urgent need to stay continuously productive. In the long run, these odd work timings tend to eat into our personal life to an extent of almost alienating us from our family causing a lot of work place stress.
5. Friction with colleagues With increased competition comes increased friction; every employee is trying to get ahead of the other. It is difficult to find harmonious friends in such an environment. Humans have an inherent need to bond and work in social groups, but the present scenario does not allow for it. This factor is quite significant causing stress in workplace.
6. Incompatible managers Most workers are stressed out because of their managers. If your superior is not appreciative of your efforts and has little understanding of your working methods then it can cause of lot of unnecessary job stress. Some managers are known to be of the paranoid sort who continuously pressurize their staff asking for frequent updates and setting non-attainable deadlines.
7. Too much work load Not everyone is gifted at time management and even those who are really skilled at organizing find themselves overloaded most of the times these days. It always one deadline after the other with no time for a breather. The work just piles on daily leaving little room for planning, so most of the work gets done in a stressful manner.
8. Job insecurity Outsourcing and cut backs go hand in hand. This may be a good thing as far as globalization is concerned but employees find it very stressful. Living on the edge with no job security can play havoc on the nerves. Layoffs are stressful for the concerned employees as well as their colleagues who feel they are next in the line.
9. Poor work compensation Close to 73% Americans have cited money as the most stressful factor in their lives. Since your work is the only source income any insecurity at the financial level will directly increase your work stress. Several employee work in resentment because they believe their pay package is too low for their position. Such thoughts and feelings leads to increased job stress.
10. Hostile job environment If your office feels like a battleground where your basic needs of personal security are threatened, it is quite difficult to keep sane. Work place harassment is on the rise, women are the usual targets but it is quite true for a lot of men also. If it is usual for your superior to throw temper tantrums at every meeting, then the very thought of the next meeting would cause your stress levels to increase dramatically.
11. Discrimination at workplace There may be cases of racial or cultural discrimination in any office, some of it is direct while most of it stays indirect. Any employee who feels victimized by discrimination is bound to feel stressed at workplace, not only because of the alienation but because of the stigma itself.
12. Job related travel Even though some people might like traveling, there is nothing more strenuous than a packed schedule of continuous travel. One can never be at peace when half the day involves traveling to and fro between client locations. Work related traveling as source of stress is quite prevalent in most marketing jobs.
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