Stress in the Workplace

By Academia PH

Pressure at the workplace is unavoidable due to the demands of the contemporary work environment. Pressure perceived as acceptable by an individual, may even keep workers alert, motivated, able to work and learn, depending on the available resources and personal characteristics. However, when that pressure becomes excessive or otherwise unmanageable it leads to stress. Stress can damage an employees' health and the business performance. Work-related stress can be caused by poor work organization (the way we design jobs and work systems, and the way we manage them), by poor work design (for example, lack of control over work processes), poor management, unsatisfactory working conditions, and lack of support from colleagues and supervisors. Research findings show that the most stressful type of work is that which values excessive demands and pressures that are not matched to workers’ knowledge and abilities, where there is little opportunity to exercise any choice or control, and where there is little support from others. Employees are less likely to experience work-related stress when - demands and pressures of work are matched to their knowledge and abilities - control can be exercised over their work and the way they do it - support is received from supervisors and colleagues - participation in decisions that concern their jobs is provided. (”Stress at the workplace”, n.d.)

Work-related stress is now generally acknowledged as a global issue affecting all professions and all workers in both developed and developing countries. (International Labour Organization, 2016). According to the statistics, stress affects about one out of four workers. Stress involves not only personnel in leadership positions, but it is the problem of everyone at any level. (“Work stress as a worldwide problem in present time”, 2014). Work-related stress can be defined as a pattern of physiological, behavioral, Mental and emotional reactions to adverse and noxious aspects of work content, work organization and work environment. It is a state characterized by high levels of arousal and distress and often by feelings of not coping (European Commission, 2000). Work-related stress is conditioned by, and contributes to, major environmental, economic and health problems. It affects at least 40 million workers in the 15 EU Member States and costs at least 20 billion euro annually. It contributes to a host of human suffering, disease and death. It also causes very considerable disturbances in terms of productivity and competitiveness. And much of all this is highly likely to be preventable. (“Guidance on work related stress”, 2000).