Stress and its effect

It is important to realize that stress can build over time until all people in the workplace are affected and influenced by it.

Common signs of increased stress at the workplace include:

-> Sick time used more often by employees

-> Projects not completed within a certain time frame

-> Employees finding other jobs

-> Body language of employees

-> Number of employee complaints has risen

-> Lack of participation in company events



Taking notice of these signs is the first step in identifying the problems. Measuring each of these factors by calculating days lost due to illness, interviewing managers, and conducting exit interviews will help you target specific issues that need to be addressed.


EFFECTS OF WORKPLACE STRESS



The effects of workplace stress can be varied ranging from boredom to serious health issues. Workplace stress can make people hostile toward each other, perform poorly on the job, become emotionally distant, physically ill or injured, and in many cases, cause them to lose their loyalty and confidence in the company. Because stress is usually compounded by time, number of employees, and the nature of the work being done, it is best to know where the workplace stress is coming from. Stress can also come from employees’ personal lives, financial issues, or being turned down for a promotion. Measuring the effects of workplace stress along with the symptoms will give you a better idea of where problems within the workplace structure exist.


COMMON SOURCES OF WORKPLACE STRESS


After measuring possible reasons for increased stress and their effects in your workplace, the next step is to find out where the stress is coming from. A stressor is an environmental factor that causes stress. Most workplaces have a few stressors, but when these stressors become out of control or multiply, then you need to look at eliminating as many as possible. Stressors include:


-> Training programs

-> Work schedules (overnight shifts, overtime, spilt-shifts, longer shifts of 10+ hours, ect.)

-> Time constraints

-> Employee expectations vs. employee reward

-> Management involvement

-> Competitive workplace and threat of downsizing