We spend most of our waking hours at work – so what are some of the stressors we need to be aware of?
Work eats up most of our weekdays, at the minimum, 8 productive hours each day or at least 1/3rd of our daily schedule, while for some it can be longer hours depending on the nature of the job, one’s work demands, volume of deliverables, commute, and so forth.Given that, we will list some of the top stressors of the work force that adds to the hustle and bustle of work and living.
Long Commutes
In a given survey, long commute, was one of the top answers of employees that give them most stress. In fact, it was found that bumper-to-bumper traffic can cause moodiness on top of the financial stress of ever-increasing gas bills and prices.
“Taking In More (Work), than You can Chew”
Sometimes one impresses the boss, to have that feeling of validity from the manager or superior, but it is not all that. Accepting more work than you can handle is also not good. There are finite hours in a day, and in a week, and taking more than you can handle has a stressful effect on yourself. It is always best to be true to yourself and commit to tasks that you can finish on time.
No Rest and Recreation
They say, for one to play hard, one must work smart. Our bodies are not built like robots where we can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our bodies have limitations, and with that, our bodies also need the time to take a rest. Having zero rest is not good for our health and that is why companies have provided vacation leaves every year, so that our bodies and minds can recharge after gruelling days of work.
Do not wait until our bodies give up like an engine overheating.
No Performance Reviews
Once an employee starts in a company, and after a year’s work, an employee is subjected to the annual performance review. Now, when a company or boss does not include performance review in his plan, why is it stressful?
It is because one’s pay increase and promotion are tied to these annual evaluations and the loss of it, makes any employee stressed and unmotivated that will link to a decrease in his productivity towards work. It is but normal to be excited for that next raise after a year’s work and to look forward to that higher job level right above us.
Job Insecurity
Job Insecurity is one of the top reasons that contribute to work-related stress. Jobs give us salary. Salaries give us the money to be able to pay our bills such as mortgage, grocery, tuition, etc. Without a job, our lives will be so difficult.
When one hears of plans to retrench, or a company downsizing, the security of one’s job is always part of the equation. Will I get retrenched? Admittedly, this is a worthy stress to think about and losing one’s job is probably the top in our list of work stressors.
These are some of the stressors that some of us have endured or have come across during our work lives. It is important to know that some illnesses have been linked to work-related stress such as high-blood pressure, depression, headaches, muscle pain or insomnia. Therefore, we must be aware of these factors of stress, and if we feel these are happening, we should pause, and rest, and think of our body’s health first above anything else. No job is worth the failure of our health.