Although stress can be a motivating factor in work production, it can also create a negative feeling among workers. Employees who experience stress at work often develop disorders such as depression and anxiety, which may eventually lead to aggression or substance abuse, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Workers may eventually experience more serious health issues and job injuries if the stress continues.
Workload
When a workload produces too much or too little for employees to do, they may experience stress, states Dale Collie, advisor on stress control at HillsOrient.com. Collie advises managers to monitor the workload of employees and provide a more even distribution among employees. Interruptions during work add to the workload stress. Random telephone calls and sudden demands from supervisors may disrupt the flow of work, adding to the employee's stress. Some of the workload stresses can even affect the health of the employees, according to the Hostile Work Environment guide.
Job Security
A fear of layoffs creates stress for workers who depend on their jobs for financial security. Whether companies begin to downsize or rumors to that effect drift through the company departments, employees are likely to become concerned that their jobs may be disposable.
Office Politics
When employees experience the negative side of office politics, they may become stressed. Employees' lack of trust in management, feeling as if they are not among management favorites and rumors about management decisions from other employees are common causes of workplace stress. Collie recommends managers treat employees fairly and never reward those who engage in office politics.
Lack of Feedback
Most employees like to know if they're doing a good job and meeting the company's expectations. Waiting until an annual review creates anxiety and stress. Managers and supervisors can offer frequent updates that provide confirmation and direction to help employees meet expectations and eliminate stress. The updates will also give supervisors an opportunity to express their appreciation for employee engagement in tasks and jobs well done.
Communication
Whenever a company shifts its focus or changes its business plan without telling the workers, employees may become tense and uncertain, according to Hostile Work Environment Guide. A steady flow of information as the changes occur can help eliminate fears that accompany change.
Bullying
Workplace bullies create stress, and when concerns with bullies are left unaddressed, workers may feel a lack of power and experience anxiety on the job, states the Hostile Work Environment Guide. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety, all types of threats and harassment contribute to employee stress. This type of behavior creates an environment of isolation and worry for the employee on the receiving end, and it ultimately affects job performance. Bullying may include threats of physical safety, use of personal information against employees, sexual harassment and discrimination for any reason.
Lack of Control
According to Collie, the biggest cause of stress at work is lack of control. When employees feel that what they do doesn't matter, their work suffers. Managers can alleviate some of this concern by placing value on the employees' input and taking an interest in each worker's responsibilities.
