Stress at Work

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical pressure resulting from demanding situations. It is normal for a body to experience stress as a reaction to change. The physical, intellectual, and emotional response to change is stress. This response helps the body get accustomed to new situations. It can be a positive reaction as it can help us be alert and avoid danger. 

For example, assume you have a test tomorrow. The response to the stress about the exam can make you study harder, so you don’t fail. But stress is not always positive. It becomes a problem when stress lasts for a long time without any relaxation or relief. One of the most common places to experience stress is at work.

Symptoms of Stress

• Diarrhoea 
• Forgetfulness
• Headaches 
• Lack of energy/lethargic 
• Stomach issues
• Loss or gain of weight
• Excessive sleeping or having trouble falling asleep
• Aches and pains 
• Neck and jaw stiffness
• Dizziness 

Prolonged stress can put one at risk of high blood pressure, heart diseases, obesity, anxiety, and skin problems.  

Types of stress at work 

• Stress caused by demand 

Having challenges at the workplace can be rewarding and lead to employee satisfaction. But if the assignments are poorly designed with unrealistic demands, work can become stressful. This happens when a member of a team does not have the skills needed to complete a set of tasks but is being forced to meet them without proper support. Only about 21% of employees feel their superiors encourage their performance, according to a report by the Gallup State of the American workplace. 

• Reward and effort balance stress

Without an appropriate reward, expecting employees to put in a lot of effort will create stress in any workplace. Disengagement is the primary fallout. Individuals who are disengaged will quit their jobs, costing a loss of productivity. Disengagement can erode the morale of an organisation. Not rewarding an employee by increasing their pay can cause stress. 

• Control stress

An employee feels empowered when there is a balance between responsibilities and control. Without this balance, an employee can feel powerless without a voice. Lack of control becomes an obstacle to one’s performance. Without some degree of control in their jobs, engagement suffers and the chances of burnout increase. 

• Stress by manager or superior 

This is the most common stress at work. Organisational goals have to be realistic, reasonable, and attainable. If the goals set by managers are way too high, it creates stress among employees. This, in turn, causes deterioration in work and will impact the productivity of the organisation. Conflict arises if the management is not on the same page as the employees. If the expectations from the superiors or managers keep changing without any logic, employees will not be able to enjoy their jobs. 

• Stress by job security

The main reason an employee works hard is to support their family financially. If the work environment is unstable, it creates a high degree of stress. For example, during the COVID pandemic, job security was a concern. The living expenses have also increased, which puts a larger burden on the earning members of a family. 

Effect of stress on performance 

Employee performance is measured by an employee’s ability to complete a task efficiently. The parameters of a job well done include timely delivery and quality of the result. Stress can play a role in managing the output. 

• The positive role of stress

Pressure and demand are known as stressors. They can stimulate responses which cause an increase in performance levels. For example, if an employee is provided with a short but adequate time for a given task, it motivates them to work hard and complete the task in time. 

• The negative role of stress

High levels of stress at work can decrease the performance of employees. It reduces an employee’s focus, working memory, and decision making abilities. If stress becomes uncontrollable, there is a drastic decrease in performance levels. For example, an employee who has to take care of four kids at home has been given an unreasonable deadline. It can give rise to a stressful situation where work might get hampered and, in the long run, the entirety of work-life balance. If these situations are not managed well, they will result in poor performance at work, bad relationships with family, and the person could suffer from burnout.

Coping with stress at work 

Here are some ways to cope with stress at work

• Do not attempt to fight stress with junk food and alcohol.
• Exercise is an effective stress buster.  
• Getting quality sleep before heading to work is good for stress management. 
• Make sure there is a balance between work and social life 
• Take time for yourself to recharge after a stressful day at work. Do not let the vacation holidays go to waste.
• Talk to your superiors so they can create a cordial environment that enhances the well-being of employees. 

Conclusion

Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. One of the most common places to find stress is at work. Stress is a normal body reaction. Our body is designed to experience stress and react appropriately to it. It can be a positive reaction when it helps us stay away from danger or improves our performance. But negative stress can cause physiological and psychological problems. There are several ways to cope with stress at work.