Job Stress also known as 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 cope. (World Health Organization, 2020)
Stress occurs in a varying range of work situations but usually worsened when employees perceive that they have minimum support from employers and colleagues and also have little control over their work.
Pressure at the workplace is unavoidable and not always detrimental or negative. Pressure, if considered acceptable may keep workers alert, motivated, able to learn and work. However, when that pressure becomes excessive or unmanageable, it then leads to stress. Stress can be damaging to one’s physical and mental health, productivity and overall performance of an organization.
Key facts about Job stress
- Up to 44% of women and 36% of men want to quit their jobs because of workplace stress. This contributes to unhappiness as well as many negative health effects.
- Healthcare expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress.
- Sixty percent of lost workdays each year can be attributed to stress.
- Job stress is more strongly associated with health complaints than financial or family problems.
Stress-related hazards at work
These can be divided under two major categories.
Work Content:
- Job content – monotony, under-stimulation
- Work load and pace
- Working hours – strict, inflexible, unsocial, unpredictable
- Participation and control – lack of decision-making and lack of control over work processes.
Work context:
- Career development
- Status and pay – job insecurity, lack of promotion opportunities
- Worker’s role in the organization – unclear and conflicting roles
- Interpersonal relationships – inadequate, inconsiderate or unsupportive supervisors, poor relationships with colleagues, bullying and harassment, violence
- Organizational culture – poor communication, poor leadership
- Work life balance – inability to adequately manage work, home and personal life.
Some examples of work place stressors
The above can also be grouped into two further categories:
Physical:
- Constant sitting/lack of mobility
- Repetitive tasks
- Fast-paced work
- Rotating shifts
- Insufficient breaks
- Excessive noise
Psychological:
- Unrealistic deadlines
- Sustained, excessive workload
- Excess overtime Responsibility without authority
- Job skills not used
- Lack of recognition
- Poor communication
- Inflexible rules
- Lack of input in decisions
- Conflicting demands
- Poor supervision
- Poor relations with co-workers
- Lack of respect
- Dead end jobs (no promotions)
- Job insecurity
- Favoritism
- Discrimination Racial/sexual harassment
Symptoms of Job Stress
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Upset stomach
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability and angry outbursts
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches and pains
- Over- and under-eating
- Chronic mild illness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Gastrointestinal problems e.g. Diarrhea, pain, ulcers
- Accidents
- Substance use and abuse
- Isolation from co-workers
- Job dissatisfaction
- Low morale
- Marital, family problems
How to minimize job stress
- Workstations are designed for tasks and injury avoidance
- Tasks are matched with workers' capabilities and resources
- Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined
- Job overall has meaning and a variety of tasks
- Workers can use their skills and learn new skills
- Workers can make decisions affecting their jobs
- Communication is required between co-workers and in two directions between workers and supervisors
- There are opportunities for social interaction among workers
- Work schedules are compatible with responsibilities outside the job
