Myth 1 - I do my best work when I'm stressed
Fact - People suffering form work stress often get less done, have decreased memory and stamina and also can become physically affected by their stress, to the point of illness. People definitely don't do their best work when they are ill.
Myth 2 - Work Stress is normal.
Fact - While a limited amount of stress at work is within the levels of what is deemed "normal", consistent and regular work stress is not. When you experience work stress often enough it will become more and more difficult to shut off your body's stress response. And while your body is equipped to experience this response some of the time, if it must endure it too frequently, your body will begin to experience both physical and mental consequences.
Myth 3 - All important and worthwhile employees feel stressed out.
Fact - Stress doesn't make you important. Your skills and abilities are what make you important. The way that you manage your responsibilities, and your professionalism make you shine, not the way you take on stress from work. When you begin to reduce work stress in your life, its likely that all of your work will be affected in a positive way and that too will set you apart.
Myth 4 - It is good for my employees to feel stressed - it'll keep them on their toes.
Fact - Work stress is a huge negative for employers. Companies lose billions of dollars each year as a result of work stress. Costs such as increased health care expenditures, sick days and decreased productivity can all result from employees under work stress. Work stress isn't good for anyone.
Myth 5 - Work Stress is easily eliminated from any company.
Fact - It often requires organizational change from the bottom to the top of a company to help reduce work stress. Implementing new policies and procedures that take into account employee needs, changing the social culture of an office, or addressing the distribution of the workload can require time and creativity but, it will be worth it to reduce the stress employees feel at work.
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