Workplace Stress

Workplace Stress

Workplace stress is described as the detrimental emotional and physical responses that emanate from job requirements not corresponding to the worker’s resources, needs, and capabilities. The World Health Organization designates stress as a worldwide epidemic owing to its adverse consequences. According to findings derived from credible research, occupational stress stems from the emergence of an imbalance between individual resources and appraisals of environmental demands. Most workers attribute the stress and strains they experience in their working environment. Tentatively, workplace stress significantly contributes to the attitudes and actions of employees in organizational settings. Employees attribute workplace stress to organizational policies and practices in addition to the media and trade union movements. Undeniably, working conditions play a principal role in causing occupational stress. Job conditions that lead to workplace stress include management styles, workplace roles, design of tasks, environmental conditions, interpersonal relationships, and career concerns.

Description of Measured and Unmeasured Costs

Health

According to the journal of occupational and environmental medicine, increasing reports of high levels of stress in workers have contributed to a significant surge in healthcare expenditure. Stressful working conditions keep the bodies of workers in a constant state of activation hence leading to an increase in the wear and tear of their biological systems. Workplace stress substantially escalates the risk of contracting diseases and injury given that stressful conditions seriously compromise the body’s ability to defend and repair itself. Early signs of occupational stress that recognizable include mood and sleep disturbances, headaches, and, stomach upsets. Even though the effects of workplace stress on chronic diseases are difficult to substantiate bearing in mind that such ailments develop over an extended duration, dependable evidence suggests that stress contributes to the rapid acceleration of chronic health problems. Studies confirm that psychologically demanding jobs that allow minimal control over the job process increases the risk of employees contracting cardiovascular disease. Further research conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health stipulates that workplace stress is responsible for the development of musculoskeletal disorders at the back and upper body extremities. The Encyclopedia of Occupational Safety and Health points out that workplace stress aggravates psychological disorders. The diverse rates of mental health problems such as burnouts and depression are attributed to economic and lifestyle differences that vary between occupations. Growing concerns indicate that stressful working conditions inhibit safe working practices even though extensive research on the impact of workplace stress on workplace injury is yet to be performed. Likewise, the relationship between occupational stress and other health problems such as ulcers, suicide, and cancer is rife.

Productivity

According to the American Psychological Association, workplace stress costs businesses $300 billion in losses annually due to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and low employee turnover. The study asserts that 75 percent of employees regard their jobs as their primary source of stress. A sizable percentage of employees alluded to the fact that workplace stress negatively affects their productivity levels. Consequently, more than half of the employees involved in the research do not take vacations due to workplace stress and are reportedly seeking less-stressful working positions. On the other hand, employers are increasingly setting aside health concerns and upholding the assumption that stressful working conditions are necessary evils for the increase in productivity and profits. Credible studies emphasize that stressful working conditions are associated with tardiness, increased resignations, and absenteeism.

A study carried out by Dan Cook revealed that 10 percent of employees miss work as a result of occupational stress. Moreover, the employees were likely to remain absent from work for a period of exceeding 21 days in a month. The respondents who participated in the study highlighted that due to stressful working environments they stayed away from work for durations spanning from 2 days to 30 days. Additionally, a quarter of the workforce simply did not show up to work for as many as 20 days. The findings of this study allude to the fact that workplace stress presents a significant slump in the productivity of employees. Occupational stress undeniably causes longer periods of employee disability in contrast to other work-related types of illnesses and injuries.

Recommended Individual Actions to Reduce Workplace Stress

Even though organizations currently offer tertiary and secondary interventions that are geared towards educating employees on how to manage stress, it is still conceptualized as an individual problem requiring a resolution from the employee and not the organization. In contrast, trade unions consider workplace stress as a structural occupational hazard that is not caused by personal incapacity. Nevertheless, the American Institute of Stress clarifies that the four main causes of occupational stress are: lack of job security, excessive workloads, juggling between personal and professional time, and conflicts with other employees. The following are recommended actions that can be carried out by an individual to reduce workplace stress: exercise and nutrition, prioritization and organization, proactivity, and job satisfaction.

Exercise and Nutrition

Healthy living and exercise are considered the best ways to respond to stress. Considering that over-focused employees are likely to neglect their physical health, exercise helps employees to relieve their minds from work-related stress. Through exercise, the production of endorphins is increased in the brain’s neurotransmitters hence leading to a feeling of well-being. An individual whose health is supported by good nutrition and exercise is more resilient to stress.

Prioritization and Organization

Taking into account that workplace stress can be overwhelming to individuals and employees, simple practical steps are needed to alleviate stressful conditions and regaining control. Time and task management are invaluable ways through which individuals can prioritize and organize. Time management tips such as balanced schedules, regular breaks, early mornings, and the establishment of healthy boundaries in workspaces can help to reduce stress. Task management tips such as the delegation of responsibility, compromise, prioritization of tasks, and the division of projects into small manageable tasks can also assist the individual in the reduction of workplace stress.

Proactivity and Job Satisfaction

Feelings of uncertainty, helplessness, and no control significantly impede the ability of an individual to execute workplace duties. Given that burnouts are inevitable, individuals can seek clarification on their job description, take time off, request a transfer, or even ask to be assigned less stressful duties. Feelings of dissatisfaction and boredom are likely to cause high-stress levels. Left uncontrolled, these feelings cause negative repercussions to physical and mental health. Finding purpose and joy is endorsed as the best way for an individual to deter dissatisfaction emanating from mundane job activities. By focusing on enjoyable aspects of the job, an individual can change their attitude concerning their job. Achieving a change in attitude will assist the individual to gain a sense of control and purpose.