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Six possible causes of stress at the workplace | Work-Related Stress

Everyone should understand what work-related stress is and what the six possible workplace stressors are. Any environment can cause stress, but one of the most common is the one we are all familiar with: the workplace. Tension can overwork your body, cause stress, and make it difficult to complete tasks.

To understand the six potential workplace stressors, you must first understand what work-related stress is.

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What is work-related stress?

Work-related stress is a growing psychological problem around the world. It affects not only the health and happiness of workers but also their ability to do their jobs well. Work stress happens when different types and combinations of work demands are too much for a person to handle.

In Australia, stress caused by work is the second most common illness for which people get paid, after musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). It is critical to understand all six potential workplace stressors.

Workplace stress is easily defined as being constantly annoyed by work and other things in your life and not being able to calm down. Stressed people worry a lot and may not be able to sleep at night because they are under constant pressure and demand.

According to studies, the percentage of stressed Americans at work is increasing. According to a survey of over 2,000 full-time US workers aged 18 to 79, more than half of them are stressed by at least 60% during their weekly work hours. Workplace stress can be overwhelming and unavoidable.

Six Possible Causes of stress at the workplace

The work, the person’s mental state, and other factors all play a role in whether or not a person experiences work-related stress. In this article, I will discuss six potential workplace stressors.

1. Long working hours

the workplace. Going to work is something that almost everyone in the universe has to deal with during their adult years. Working for an extended period can lead to job-related stress. Working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a very long period, creates a sense of monotony. You must wake up at 7 a.m. to prepare for your job and return home at 7 or 8 p.m., which is nearly the entire day.

This workload during the working day can cause agitation, fatigue, headaches, and tiredness. Many workplace issues are constantly being discussed, but stress is the one that everyone seems to agree on. According to a 2020 Perkbox study, nearly 79% of UK employees experience work-related stress.

So, the organization should consider making an excellent workplace for its employees. To avoid high-functioning anxiety, employees and workers must put their sleep and mental health first. They must learn to cope with stress and to be emotionally intense.

2. Excessive work demand

Another six potential sources of workplace stress are the amount of work you have. One of the primary causes of work-related stress may be an imbalance in workload. Work overload can also contribute to anxiety. That is why workers must learn. One of the most in-demand soft skills in the workplace is being more productive. Everyone can become overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done, whether it’s a series of meetings or a deadline.

The most important thing for employee involvement is for the manager to be able to handle everything. This is a trait of a strong and successful businessman. Even the most resilient employees can find it challenging to deal with unreasonable and unrealistic demands. The term “burnout” was added to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases in 2019. And it unquestionably ranks among the top ten workplace stressors.

The balance will be lost if the workload is heavy and the time is limited. Employees can suffer from chronic and debilitating stress when work becomes overwhelming and unmanageable.

3. Harassment in the workplace

Workplace harassment happens when one or more employees feel disrespected or threatened by a group of coworkers. Harassment is one of the six potential sources of workplace stress. Harassment at work is unwanted physical or verbal behaviour based on color, religion, race, gender, an intellectual disability, or country of origin. Workplace harassment can also come from insults, blasphemy, intimidation, getting in the way of work, etc. Groping, dirty jokes and sexual assault are the most common forms of workplace harassment. It is critical to educate oneself.

Learning how to make someone feel at ease at work and stop feeling left out at work is critical. Bullying hurts a person’s psychological well-being.

According to a UK Trades Union Congress (TUC) workplace bullying survey, 29% of people say they are bullied at work, with 72% being bullied by their bosses.

Bullying victims frequently feel despised and judged on personal, professional, or both grounds. A lot of the time, victims’ mental health is hurt, which affects their physical health as well as their social and work lives. Read my article about overcoming social awkwardness and shyness if you are shy. Also, learn how to improve your social skills.

4. Low salary issues

Financial compensation or a low salary can also cause a lot of stress and is one of the six possible stressors in the workplace. Your salary expectations may change as you advance in your career. This could be because of your standard of living, how you compare to your peers, how well you did in the past, or how you are evaluated. Or the worth you bring to your organization. When your salary expectations aren’t met, you might feel stressed at work, which could show up as a lack of commitment.

These worries usually don’t last long, but professionals may have them at different points in their careers. Understanding the six possible causes of workplace stress can help you find effective ways to deal with it. Getting over work anxiety lets you feel confident in your skills, see how important your work is, and keep your self-esteem high.

If stress is not managed correctly, it can be hazardous to people and those around them. It can be extremely frustrating and stressful, especially if you want to stay and grow with a company that pays you very little. It can also be problematic if your job is relatively simple or you want to earn more later.

5. Poor communication

Another major stress factor and potential workplace stress is a lack of communication among employees. Every employee has their own priorities and motivations, which is why people must understand practical communication skills. This can happen if you are alone at work, so learning how to deal with loneliness is essential.

All of the six possible stressors at work can be made worse by unclear instructions or feedback and a lack of structure. Ambiguity, poor communication quality, and confusion can all lead to indescribable problems at work. That is why it is essential to learn how to improve focus and coordination to concentrate on your work.

According to a PerkBox study, “lack of communication between departments” is the second most common cause of workplace stress. Effective communication with others is critical for most workers and professionals. As a result, it is critical to teach employees the value of communication skills in the workplace. Unfortunately, almost every workplace contains team members who are naturally bad communicators.

It is best to communicate directly with everyone you work with and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding daily, weekly, and monthly goals and tasks. Team members believe that help is available when they need it because of constant communication. This reduces workplace alienation.

6. Conflict among coworkers

Sometimes your efforts are not recognized by your coworkers, which is one of the signs that they dislike you. Lack of appreciation from managers and colleagues can be disheartening, especially when we put in so much time and effort to get things done. Conflict among coworkers is also one of the six potential sources of workplace stress.

A conflict between colleagues and bosses is a personal issue that is more difficult to deal with than the fear of being fired. Conflicts can range from minor issues, such as who sits where during a meeting, to major issues that a lack of communication can exacerbate.

Read my article to learn the best ways to handle workplace conflict. Resolving communication issues is the best way to manage conflicts. When team leaders and team members talk to each other in person, it can help reduce friction and stress. Remember that all conflicts are only temporary! When things get stuck, it’s easy to point the finger at someone. But working together to solve problems and finish tasks will improve your work and relationships.

Employees are hired based on their abilities rather than their personalities. And there will inevitably be a conflict between colleagues. Many workplaces can be nurturing places, but this is not always the case. Teamwork abilities are required because they are one of the workplace readiness skills.

One of the six things that can cause stress at work is jealousy and unhealthy competition between coworkers. It can escalate into bullying, intimidation, gossip, or other pernicious behaviour if unchecked. It’s stressful to walk into a workplace where your coworkers’ actions weaken you.

FAQ’s

Here are some of the most common questions people ask Google about the six possible stressors at work.

Q: Why do people get stressed at work? 

The workplace can feel like an emotional roller coaster in today’s fast-paced world. Long deadlines and ever-increasing demands can cause anxiety, exhaustion, and overwhelm. When stress gets too much for you to handle, it stops helping and starts hurting your mind and body. You cannot control everything in your workplace, which is why people become stressed at work. It’s time to take action if workplace stress affects your work performance, health, or personal life.

Q: What are the workplace factors associated with stress and health risks? 

Six things could cause stress at work. These include long hours, heavy workloads, and disagreements with coworkers and bosses. Poor work performance, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders are all symptoms. Employers must recognize work-related stress as a serious health and safety issue. Workplace stress has been linked to several adverse physical and mental health effects. Cardiovascular disease, insomnia, muscular disorders, depression, and anxiety are all examples.

Q: What are the effects of workplace stress on employees? 

In general, it’s clear how stressed you are. Anxiety, nervousness, hypersensitivity, rage, frustration, feeling overwhelmed, and mood swings are the most common side effects of work-related stress. Loneliness, obsessive-compulsive perfectionism, self-pity, self-sabotaging behaviour, shame, and low self-esteem are also symptoms. Perhaps you appear stiff or simply tired. Your aura is no longer favorable. All of these can be signs of stress, but employees can also show emotional signs of workplace stress.

Final Words

Pressure at work is unavoidable because of the demands of the modern workplace. However, stress occurs when the pressure becomes excessive or out of control. Stress can adversely affect employee health and performance. After reading my article, I hope you understand the most prominent six possible causes of pressure at the workplace. Good luck for your future.

 

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