Causing Stress In The Workplace

Situations that are most likely to trigger stress are those that are volatile or uncontainable, vague, indistinct or unknown or linking inconsistency, loss or performance hope. Stress can rise by time constrained events, such as the anxiety of examinations or work deadlines, or by enduring situations, such as family tension, job uncertainty, or extensive commuting journeys. (Michie, 2002)

Chronic stress on employees can have immediate collision on the organization itself, resulting in a variety of problems such as high absenteeism, and turnover (Parker & Decotiis, 1983), poor industrial relations, poor productivity, high accident rates, poor organizational climate, low morale, antagonism at work, and job dissatisfaction (Chen & Spector, 1992)

Work place factors that contribute to stress and health risks can be categorized into two; those that are regarding the content of work, and those regarding the organizational and social context of the work. Moreover, the intrinsic factors include lengthy hours, work overload, time pressure, difficult or multifarious tasks, lack of breaks, lack of diversity, and poor physical work conditions (for example, space, temperature, light). (Michie, 2002)

Work that is not clear, or that created role conflict and boundaries are also causes to stress. Additionally, containing responsibility for people is another root cause to stress. The prospective for job improvement is a momentous defence against existing stress, with under promotion, lack of training, and job insecurity being stressful. Relationships at work and the organizational culture are two additional sources of stress. Managers who are decisive, tough, uncooperative or bullying generate stress, while an optimistic social aspect of work and good team working reduces it. (Michie,

Stress, as mentioned above can be quite hazardous to an individual as well as the organization itself. Therefore, in order to have a well-working organization, stress must be reduced or completely erased. The benefits of a stress-free work place include an improved employee retention and recruitment, improved employee engagement, thereby reducing absenteeism. Decreased disability coverage expenses, improved productivity and growth, reduced risks of workplace accidents and injuries, and advanced employee self-esteem. (Having a Stress-Free Workplace,