Workplace stress is the response people may have when presented with work demands and pressures that are not matched to their knowledge and abilities and which challenge their ability to work (American Psychological Association, n.d.). In other words, it is the harmful and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between the job demands and the capabilities, resources or needs of the organization. While it is normal to have some level of stress, excessive stress can interfere with productivity and performance, impact physical and emotional health, and affect your relationships and personal life (Segol, Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2018).
The workplace stress may result from fear of being laid off, more overtime due to staff cutbacks, pressure to perform to meet rising expectations but with no increase in job satisfaction, pressure to work at optimum levels-all the time and lack of control over how to do the work assigned (Segol, Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2018). In addition to these, low salaries, excessive workloads, few opportunities for growth or advancement, work that is not engaging or challenging, lack of social support, not having enough control over job-related decisions and conflicting demands or unclear performance expectations are also the sources of workplace stress. A sense of powerlessness, unclear job description, traumatic events on the workplace and unfavorable work setting also adds to the workplace stress (American Psychological Association, n.d.). According to The American Institute of Stress, 20% of the workplace stress is caused by juggling work and personal lives, 6% is caused by lack of job security, 28% is resulted by peole issues and 46% is caused by workload.
Most of the times, workplace stress arises because we cannot control everything in our work environment. For example, the unwanted noise in the workplace, lack of privacy, robbery in the organization etc. are some of the factors that cause stress in the workplace over which we have no control.
American Psychological Association (APA) has suggested the following steps in managing stress:
Track the stressors: The first and foremost step to manage stress is to find out the root cause of the stress. Develop healthy responses: Once the stressors are tracked, we need to look out for the healthy choices to address those factors. Establish boundaries: Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life also helps in managing stress. Take time to recharge: At times, we need to totally distract ourselves from work and work-related activities to relax and unwind. Learn how to relax: The meditation and mindfullness activities are becoming the popular choices of stress mangement these days. Talk to the supervisor: Healthy and open conversation with the supervisors help in finding out the ways for stress management at workplace. Get some support : The help from the trusted friends and family members is also one of the ways to manage stress.
The organization can manage stress by addressing the factors that cause stress that includes:
Designing job by clarifying the roles, responsibilities and power of each position precisely and clearly to avoid confusion and conflict.
Setting reasonable and attainable targets and performance standards that match with the capabilities of the employees.
Ensuring that the people are placed in the job they are best suited for and the job allows them to utilize their knowledge, ability and skills in full fledge.
Providing opportunities for growth and improvement through career development and management training.
Encouraging direct talk with the concerned authority regarding the problems and complications in the workplace (Armstrong, 2008).
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress in the Workplace . Retrieved from Stress in the Workplace: apa.org/helpcenter/workplace-stres...
Armstrong, M. (2008). Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. London: Kogan Page.
Segol, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, R. (2018, February). Stress in the Workplace . Retrieved from Managing Job and Workplace Stress: helpguide.org/articles/stress/stre...
The American Institute of Stress. (n.d.). Transforming Stress Through Awareness, Education and Collaboration . Retrieved from stress.org/workplace-stress/
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Workplace stress is the response people may have when presented with work demands and pressures that are not matched to their knowledge and abilities and which challenge their ability to work (American Psychological Association, n.d.). In other words, it is the harmful and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between the job demands and the capabilities, resources or needs of the organization. While it is normal to have some level of stress, excessive stress can interfere with productivity and performance, impact physical and emotional health, and affect your relationships and personal life (Segol, Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2018).
The workplace stress may result from fear of being laid off, more overtime due to staff cutbacks, pressure to perform to meet rising expectations but with no increase in job satisfaction, pressure to work at optimum levels-all the time and lack of control over how to do the work assigned (Segol, Smith, Robinson, & Segal, 2018). In addition to these, low salaries, excessive workloads, few opportunities for growth or advancement, work that is not engaging or challenging, lack of social support, not having enough control over job-related decisions and conflicting demands or unclear performance expectations are also the sources of workplace stress. A sense of powerlessness, unclear job description, traumatic events on the workplace and unfavorable work setting also adds to the workplace stress (American Psychological Association, n.d.). According to The American Institute of Stress, 20% of the workplace stress is caused by juggling work and personal lives, 6% is caused by lack of job security, 28% is resulted by peole issues and 46% is caused by workload.
Most of the times, workplace stress arises because we cannot control everything in our work environment. For example, the unwanted noise in the workplace, lack of privacy, robbery in the organization etc. are some of the factors that cause stress in the workplace over which we have no control.
American Psychological Association (APA) has suggested the following steps in managing stress:
Track the stressors: The first and foremost step to manage stress is to find out the root cause of the stress.
Develop healthy responses: Once the stressors are tracked, we need to look out for the healthy choices to address those factors.
Establish boundaries: Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life also helps in managing stress.
Take time to recharge: At times, we need to totally distract ourselves from work and work-related activities to relax and unwind.
Learn how to relax: The meditation and mindfullness activities are becoming the popular choices of stress mangement these days.
Talk to the supervisor: Healthy and open conversation with the supervisors help in finding out the ways for stress management at workplace.
Get some support : The help from the trusted friends and family members is also one of the ways to manage stress.
The organization can manage stress by addressing the factors that cause stress that includes:
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress in the Workplace . Retrieved from Stress in the Workplace: apa.org/helpcenter/workplace-stres...
Armstrong, M. (2008). Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. London: Kogan Page.
Segol, J., Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, R. (2018, February). Stress in the Workplace . Retrieved from Managing Job and Workplace Stress: helpguide.org/articles/stress/stre...
The American Institute of Stress. (n.d.). Transforming Stress Through Awareness, Education and Collaboration . Retrieved from stress.org/workplace-stress/