Stress at Workplace: Causes of Stress at Workplace, and How to Deal with Them

Overload of work, turnover, overly tight schedules, overly demanding hierarchy … Work stress is not inevitable. And the consequences are often dramatic for the physical and mental health of the people who suffer it. But what are the causes of Stress at Workplace? And how to fix it?

What are the Causes of Stress at Workplace?

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work defines stress at work as “an imbalance between the perception that a person has of the constraints imposed on him by his environment and the perception he has of his own resources to do so.”

Clearly, Stress at Workplace corresponds to the lack of resources available to employees to meet the demands to which they are subjected. The difficulties they encounter are closely related to the organization of the company, the nature of their work and the pressures they are under.

Some people can have an immeasurable amount of work and never complain about stress, while others will quickly feel overwhelmed and overwhelmed. In short, it is not so much the avalanche of work that matters, but the way of approaching it. In addition to stressors in the workplace, there may also be personal stressors which only aggravate the suffering and make the work even more difficult.

Stress at workplace causes a series of symptoms in employees, all indicative of a persistent discomfort, which only feed the pathologies they cause: demotivation, sadness, low self-esteem, irritability, concentration disorders, exhaustion… The repercussions on physical and mental health are difficult to stop, all the more so when the person who suffers from it locks itself in his discomfort, for fear of being misunderstood or rejected.

There are many causes of stress at workplace: lack of recognition, fear of not being up to the job entrusted, overly demanding supervisor, monotony of tasks or transfer to another region. Some causes are recurrent and deserve to be looked at …

Work overload, one of the first factors of Stress at Workplace

According to a recent survey carried out by an expert body in labor law, “work overload” is the first stressor cited by employees, ahead of hierarchical pressure and fear of dismissal.

In addition, a study carried out by NIOSH, expert in well-being in the workplace, reveals that 40% of employees are victims of stress and 25% are even in a state of “hyper stress” Worldwide.

If there is an overload of work, this may imply poor organization, an exacerbated desire for excellence, causing a need to do more than necessary, or even a lack of control and therefore a considerable loss. But it is also a reality. Removal of positions, sick leave, turnover, are the bed of professional stress for existing employees who must assume even more and hold on to not lose their position.

Frustration, one of the reasons for Stress at Workplace

There are many reasons for feeling frustrated. This can come from a gap between the efforts provided and the few rewards obtained, or the expectation of a promotion that never comes, or even injustices within the same team, putting some of the employees under the limelight when others find themselves sidelined for lack of consideration.

Moral harassment, a source of Professional Stress

Moral harassment is one of the most frequent psychological stresses at workplace. This is the abusive conduct of a superior or a colleague towards the victim of harassment. The stalker tries by all means to humiliate the victim in order to destroy her, using destabilizing techniques. However, a distinction must be made between bullying and abuse of power. Some unscrupulous leaders tend to systematically belittle their subordinates in front of co-workers, for lack of benevolence or humanity. In addition, they often have difficulty recognizing and displaying the value of their collaborators. In any case, the perceived psychological damage can be disastrous.

Stress at Workplace due to lack of communication

Communicating well within a company is a guarantee of well-being and performance. Conversely, when communication is poor or if it is non-existent, it can cause misunderstandings, fears and unspoken words, which are harmful to the productivity and development of employees. In addition, some people find it difficult to find their place in a team, hesitate to talk about their feelings, and do not dare to share their requests or find it difficult to assert themselves with their colleagues. Rivalries, lack of interaction and adversarial interpersonal relationships can be the source of persistent discomfort and chronic stress among the most vulnerable.

Requirement of hierarchy and Stress at Workplace

Who says professional environment also says “performances”! How not to stress when your hierarchical superiors demand from you perfect cohesion with the wishes of the company, whether in terms of objectives and therefore results, speed of action, perfect control of your position, unbelievable schedules and therefore denial of family life. Accepting what is at stake is therefore to submit and disregard your personal equilibrium.

Suggestion to De-Stress at Workplace

Stress has its reasons that reason ignores, one might say … Because in this case, the psychological balance is set aside to respond perfectly to the dictates of the professional environment. There is no question of complaining or showing dissatisfaction. Fortunately, these forms of hierarchical distortions do not exist in all structures. Many companies look after their employees and are concerned about their professional comfort.

However, to remedy the constant stress that taints the lives of employees, solutions exist.

We could evoke:

• Management that promotes teamwork and mutual aid

• Promote communication between team members, develop methods for better communication

• Promote the autonomy of people at their workstation

• Promote adapted continuing education

• Encourage personal development: methods from positive psychology, mindfulness