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Causes of workplace stress seem to be everywhere. The commute to work, office politics, and the threat of job loss are just a few. When you really take a minute to think about it, it’s a miracle there are any of us even remotely happy with our jobs! That’s an exaggeration of course, but not by much. Workplace stress has been on a steady rise, and this is because it is experienced in so many professions and results from so many different triggers.
A poor work environment is often a contributor to work stress that often goes unnoticed. Low air quality in the office, limited sunlight/windows, or toxic cleaners used in the office, are just a few of the things that can create a poor working environment. There is also the stress that work relationships can create. A conflict with a co-worker or supervisor can really be a problem and send stress levels sky high for some people.
You may also feel stressed at work if you are either working beyond or below your skill level. Boring or unchallenging work may not seem like it could be compared with the stress of being in a position that is beyond your skill set, but they both create stress for employees, just in different ways. Also, if you feel undervalued at your workplace, you may feel resentful and upset and this may also contribute to work stress.
Many today say they feel that they are in a job they don't like. When this is the case, the level of work stress can be high. If you are spending 40 hrs/wk (sometimes more) doing work that is meaningless to you, it can become very stressful. This stress can be increased if you are feeling like you can't change your situation with advancement opportunities, or if you feel (for whatever reason) that you are "stuck in this dead end job".
Work stress can also result from the management style used within your office/company. When there is little information shared with employees, or if your supervisor is too un-personal or demanding for example work stress often results. Employees also find it difficult when the hierarchy is such that they feel they have no contribution to any of the decisions affecting the company. This creates a feeling of "powerlessness" which can be a very stressful feeling.
The only good thing about seeing the myriad of ways that work creates stress in our lives is that many of these are fixable. With a change in company policy or a mediation session with the co-worker/supervisor that you've been having problems with, work stress levels can often be reduced. It is also helpful to take a look at your employment situation and see if any of these things exist for you, and if so, this may be why you are feeling stressful about work.
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