The importance of challenge in our work lives is probably what people are referring to when they say “a little bit of stress is good for you.īut for David and Theresa, the situation is different-the challenge has turned into job demands that cannot be met, relaxation has turned to exhaustion, and a sense of satisfaction has turned into feelings of stress. Thus, challenge is an important ingredient for healthy and productive work. When a challenge is met, we feel relaxed and satisfied. Challenge energizes us psychologically and physically, and it motivates us to learn new skills and master our jobs. The concept of job stress is often confused with challenge, but these concepts are not the same. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury. Job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. This booklet summarizes what is known about job stress and what can be done about it.
But in spite of this attention, confusion remains about the causes, effects, and prevention of job stress. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.įortunately, research on job stress has greatly expanded in recent years.
One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.For example, studies report the following: Job stress has become a common and costly problem in the American workplace, leaving few workers untouched. Scope of Stress in the American Workplaceĭavid’s and Theresa’s stories are unfortunate but not unusual. But sooner or later, someone will have to make some changes in the way the place is run.” What Workers Say About Stress on the Job A lot of the reps are seeing the employee assistance counselor and taking stress management classes, which seems to help. No wonder I’m in here with migraine headaches and high blood pressure. If only I could use some of my sick time to look after her. To make matters worse, my mother’s health is deteriorating. We all go to our own little cubicles and stay there until quitting time. The other reps are so uptight and tense they don’t even talk to one another. I’m not sure who I’m supposed to keep happy. Most of the time I’m caught between what the customer wants and company policy. I try to be helpful and sympathetic, but I can’t promise anything without getting my boss’s approval. All I hear the whole day are complaints from unhappy customers. I even have to schedule my bathroom breaks. In my new job, the computer routes the calls and they never stop. “I’m afraid I jumped from the frying pan into the fire. “Well, I really miss you guys,” she said. Morale is so bad they’re talking about bringing in some consultants to figure out a better way to get the job done.” Guys are calling in sick just to get a break. I swear I hear those machines humming in my sleep. We’re so backed up I’m working twelve-hour shifts six days a week. They expect the same production rates even though two guys are now doing the work of three. It used to be that as long as you did your work, you had a job. “Since the reorganization, nobody feels safe. Her gentle poke in the ribs brought him around, and within minutes they were talking and gossiping as if she had never left. They had been good friends when she worked in the front office at the plant, but he hadn’t seen her since she left three years ago to take a job as a customer service representative. Now, sitting in the doctor’s office and wondering what the verdict would be, he didn’t even notice when Theresa took the seat beside him. At first he tried to ignore these problems, but eventually he became so short-tempered and irritable that his wife insisted he get a checkup. For weeks he had been plagued by aching muscles, loss of appetite, restless sleep, and a complete sense of exhaustion. The longer he waited, the more David worried.
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