Workplace Stress

There is nothing wrong with hard work in the workplace and studies show that a well-organized, well managed and supportive environment, can be positive for our health.

This is evident in giving employees a sense of camaraderie, purpose and achievement. A safe place where they can grow and apply their skill sets to be more productive, fruitful and successful in what they do.

In a workplace which is neither organized, managed or supportive, stress arises. In the workplace one can assign stress to 3 high level categories.

3 High Level Workplace Stress Categories

Organization

• How the company is organized
• Ethos and dynamics of senior management
• Mission, vision, values

Management

• Middle management execution of directives, mission and core values
• Maturity of middle management
• Expectations from senior management and resources

Support

• To perform at optimum levels
• HR progression plan
• Interaction with team members and management

The levels of stress arise in a workplace environment when:

Organization

• Given very high responsibility
• A role that conflicts with another’s role
• Disorganised change within the organisation
• A job or environment that is unstable
• A job that threatens life and or health
• Exterior pressures – demanding clients
• Parent company policies
• Negative press about the business or parent company

Management

• Given more work than they can handle
• Given work outside of their skill set
• Not having a say in what their work is or how to carry it out
• Asked to do things within a very strict or unrealistic timeline
• Issues with other colleagues or bullying
• Sexual harassment
• Code of ethics in workplace
• Not allowed to give feedback
• Are working too many hours

Support

• Lack of clarity of what is being asked of them
• Being under trained for their position
• Offered no encouragement and feeling under valued
• Not given access to the right resources to carry out the job
• No career path management
• No definitive goals or feedback as to performance
• Expectation of working unpaid hours – come early – leave late
• No break-out place or quiet space
• Interruptions during lunchtime
• Sexual harassment

How many of the above can you identify with? If you are seeing aspects of the above categories, then perhaps the workplace you are in is in a stressful condition.

You need help to reduce the levels and improve mental health, establish stress management plans, training that will increase your productivity and well-being.