Stress at work

Introduction

Objective

Workload

What Is Stress?

A situation that creates excessive psychological or physiological demands

on a person.

STRESS FEELINGS

• Worry• Tense• Tired• Frightened• Elated• Depressed• Anxious• Anger

General Adaptation Syndrome

• Alarm• Body tries to meet initial challenge of stressor.

• Increased respiration, raised blood pressure, dilated pupils, tensed muscles

• Resistance• Fatigue, anxiety, and tension

• Exhaustion• Prolonged and continual exposure to stressor.

Causes of Stress• Changes in the workplace:

• Competition and change• Technological change• Increasingly diverse workforce• Downsizing• Employee empowerment and teamwork• Work/home conflict

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical and mental health is adversely affected by unpleasant working conditions, such as high noise levels, lighting, temperature and unsocial or excessive hours.

Consequences of Stress

• Physiological symptoms• e.g., increased blood pressure, headaches, heart

attacks• Psychological symptoms

• e.g., job dissatisfaction, tension, anxiety, irritability, boredom, procrastination

• Behavioural symptoms• Changes in productivity, absence, turnover, eating

habits, smoking, drinking, etc.

EXTERNAL STRESSORS

• Physical Environment• Social Interaction• Organisational• Major Life Events• Daily Hassles

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Noise• Bright Lights• Heat• Confined Spaces

How Do We Manage Stress? Individual Approaches• Time management• Physical activity• Relaxation techniques• Building social support

How Do We Manage Stress: Organizational Approaches• Selection and placement decisions• Goal setting• Redesigning jobs• Increasing employee involvement• Increasing organizational communication• Providing organizational wellness programs

Tips for Reducing Stress• At least two or three times a week, spend time with

supportive friends or family.• Ask for support when you are under pressure. This is

a sign of health, not weakness.• If you have spiritual or religious beliefs, increase or

maintain your involvement.• Use a variety of methods to reduce stress. Consider

exercise, nutrition, hobbies, positive thinking, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.

Reducing Stress in the Workplace• Avoid electronic monitoring of staff. Personal supervision

generates considerably less stress.• Allow workers time to recharge after periods of intense or

demanding work.• Deliver important information that significantly affects

employees face to face.• Encourage positive social interactions between staff to

promote problem solving around work issues and increase emotional support.

• Keep in mind that staff need to balance privacy and social interaction at work. Extremes can generate stress.

stressor• noise• Vibration• Heat • Dim lighting/psychological factor• (anxiety, fatigue, frustration, anger)

Environmental Stressor• Motion• Thermal Stress• Air Quality

Environmental StressorMotion

• High Frequency Vibration• Low Frequency Vibration and Motion Sickness

Environmental StressorThermal Stress

a. Excessive Heat - sun, equipment, furnaces, boilers - dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustionb. Excessive Cold-Forstbite, Hypothermia, Health Endagerment

Environmental StressorAir Quality

• Poor air quality = poor ventilation • Polluted by smog or carbon monoxide