Various Causes of Stress in the Workplace
It’s an unfortunate reality that stressors at work happen quite often and are much more common than you might think. This is an important fact, as your performance and well-being can be significantly affected by them.
While the causes are not always clear, in most cases these stressors can be easily identified and even resolved.
First, it is important to distinguish between specific and sustained job stress. In other words, it is possible to experience extreme stress due to a particular project or temporary overwork. However, the buildup and spread of anxiety over time is another. In fact, this can be dangerous and even lead to serious illness.
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During times of job stress, the employee may be concerned about the idea that the demands of the environment greatly exceed their abilities and resources. In fact, something that should theoretically be easy to solve isn’t always the case. Especially if the employer and employee’s requirements really do not match.
As a result, the causes of job stress can be varied. For example, excessive workload is an extremely common cause. Also, non-valuable or non-existent reward, toxicity from bosses or colleagues, feelings of stagnation, lack of motivation, professional development or personal control over tasks, etc.
Job stressors are many. Different types of work stress tend to fall into three main groups:
- It’s about the institution itself.
- It’s about the work environment.
- It is produced in person.
Now let’s take a detailed look.
Organization-related job stresses
Such stressors arise in a “bad” type of organization. In other words, a company that underdesigns the business or encourages an unproductive work environment, etc. The following issues may occur in such a scenario.
Role conflict. The employee does not know exactly what is expected of them, takes conflicting orders and is not clear about their responsibilities.
Overload. With this bad distribution of work, the employee is forced to take on responsibilities that do not concern him or that he is not prepared for.
Insufficient communication. Communication problems between parties, conflict between departments, unclear or conflicting orders, etc.
Lack of development. The management of a company does not help the development of the professional and educational career of the worker. As a result, the employee feels dissatisfied.
Structure. Not all employees from hierarchically higher status were successfully communicated.
Environment. Excessive control or tension in the work environment can even lead to extreme situations such as mobbing or burnout.
Services. Inadequate service is provided to the employee. For example, cafeteria, lack of parking.
Causes of occupational stress related to the work environment
The workplace itself can also be a source of work stress for a variety of reasons. Let’s see under what conditions this undesirable situation can occur:
Insecurity.
Insecure work is a source of stress.
Mental Load. Employment that requires long-term mental effort can be risky.
Control. The employee does not control the work to be done. Therefore, they cannot edit their programs and everything depends on third parties.
Complexity. The task to be performed is complex or monotonous.
Identity. The employee does not know the impact of his role in the organizational context. In fact, they think that what they’re doing has no real benefit.
Relationships. Relationships in the work environment are not satisfactory, both with colleagues and other departments.
Physical conditions. The workplace is poorly lit, excessively noisy or very hot, etc.
Materials. The employee does not have the appropriate materials to perform his task.
Risks The employee may have to take physical risks. For example, monotonous work for long hours, poor posture, carrying excessive weight or having to deal with toxic substances, etc.
Shifts. Excessive shift changes have a negative psychological and physical impact on the employee.
Fee. Inadequate pay has a negative impact on the employee.
Watches. Both the long working day and the lack of breaks and vacations are extremely harmful to the employee.
Personal work stress
Finally, there are job stressors that are directly tied to the individual himself. They often arise due to demand imbalances regarding the employee’s own abilities and personality:
Emotional control. The employee loses the ability to remain calm in certain situations and cannot maintain balance.
Empathy. Colleagues, bosses, subordinates, etc. They cannot empathize with.
Self motivation. The lack of this is seen in employees who cannot make sense of the work they do.
Instability. It arises due to the lack of organization and systematization of the employee’s duties.
Stability. The emotional state of the employee affects his performance.
Habits. A lack of healthy habits is harmful. For example, a good diet, correct behavior and adequate rest are necessary.
These are the most common sources of stress in the workplace that experts have discovered. Are you experiencing any of these?
