Top 7 Causes of Stress in the Workplace

Introduction

No matter what kind of jobs you've had, it would be very unlikely. Stress, in its extreme, makes it harder to get up in the morning, can cause friction in your social and home life, and if it is recurring, it can cause serious negative effects on your health.

Not only can certain elements in the workplace cause stress, it may be making you ill. The UK Health and Safety Executive found that 40% of all work-related illnesses are reported to be stress-related.

Dealing with stress may lead to unhealthy behaviors, like overeating, drinking, smoking, and putting strain on significant relationships.

For this reason, the main causes of stress can be found. Below, we have listed the main sources of stress in the workplace, in order of prevalence based on results from the UK Health and Safety Executive .

Cause # 7: Lack of Control

When they think they are in crisis, they feel like they are in trouble. This is also common for those people in positions that have little to no decision making power, especially if they feel the grunt of the difficulties on their shoulders.

The sense of a lack of control can be particularly frustrating when you are aware of how things are developing and how they have a negative impact on the company and on customers or clients.

Cause # 6: Role Uncertainty

A new position or role modification can provoke uncertainty about your particular part in the company. You are unsure what to do, what are you going to do? Sometimes, when you're feeling like you're getting in the swing of things, you're in the process of discussing why you're "slacking" in certain areas of your job responsibilities.

Cause # 5: Changes at Work

Changes at work might take place due to internal department reorganization, a new boss, role reassignment, or large scale laying-off of personnel. These sorts of changes provoke uncertainty as you try to adapt to the situation as best and as quickly as you can, and wonder whether you are considered to be laid-off as well.

Cause # 4: Uncertainty and Discomfort, Among Others

Other factors could include losing your job, uncomfortable personal relationships within the workplace, or dissatisfaction with your career in general. If you need the money, it is difficult to consider the possibility of quitting with ease.

Cause # 3: Violence

This may sound extreme, but violence is the third most common cause of workplace stress. Remember that violence does not just include physical violence. Other forms of violence could include discrimination, emotional abuse, or verbal abuse.

If you feel like you are experiencing this in the workplace, it is vital that you use it internally. If you, for some reason, feel unsafe or uncomfortable doing so, by contacting an external organization.

Cause # 2: Lack of Support

Some items may be overburdened with responsibilities, and are due to be resolved by management, or otherwise. You end up doing the work that two, three, or even four people would do in similar companies.

While you may feel like you can take it at the beginning, the lack of support will quickly wear you out, being a significant cause of stress.

Cause #1: High Workload

This is by far the most common cause of stress in the workplace. This could refer to one or many of the following:

• Tight deadlines: When your supervisor comes in as you are getting ready to go and tells you, “I need this on my desk first thing in the morning,” you know you will have to pull an all-nighter (likely without overtime). But when it becomes regular occurrence, it can really take a toll on you and your health. You try to convince yourself it is physically possible, and that you just need energy to get it done. Stress levels can increase exponentially when you feel like you could be let go if you don’t follow through. This often leads to unhealthy eating and drinking behavior, from eating tons of processed foods from the vending machine to drinking multiple energy drinks at a time.

• Too much work: If you haven’t seen the sun all week, you are most likely working overtime. This could be a significant cause of stress, especially if it takes time away from other social and family responsibilities.

• Too much pressure: This is common in positions where you need to achieve certain marks, certain standards or quotas on a regular basis.
• Too much responsibility: You might be regretting that promotion just about now. Some positions have significant responsibility with regards to decision-making, some of which might determine the direction of the company or the wellbeing of a substantial number of people.

Conclusion

In reasonable amounts, stress in the workplace is normal. Stress can be positive, as it allows you to adapt to new situations, to feel motivated, competitive, and to be driven to do better in your position.

However, when stressors do not go away, or are aggravated with even the slightest change, it starts to severely affect mental and physical health. Workplace satisfaction and productivity may plummet as workplace stress becomes chronic.

Keep an eye out for the seven most common stressors in your workplace, and do what you can to avoid them. When you can not avoid them, talk to your family or to a professional counselor about stress management techniques, or consider the possibility of making a significant change.