Stress and the Workplace

Stress and the Workplace

The health and wellness of employees can either help or hinder the success of an organization. If the employees miss work due to illness that turns into more work for others. Workplace stress is a major reason for sick leave. Other stressors can be not enough sleep, bad management, thought of losing a job, interpersonal relationships, workload, long work hours and other personal and financial problems that exist at home. Job stress poses a threat to the health of workers which will threaten the success of the organization. Organization's who provide a stress relieving plan such will have less sick days per year and employ happier people.

According to the NIOSH 40% of workers report their job as very or extremely stressful. 25% of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their life. 26% of workers say they are stress and often burned out by their work. 29% of workers reported that they feel quite a bit or extremely stress at work. Job stress not only leads to sick time but it is also a dangerous hazard to the organization and co-workers. Each individual has their own job stressful job condition and personal stress factors. Combined together is a big risk of injury and illness. Individual difference is a factor to workplace stress. Individuals can react to the differently to the stressors so a variety of stress relieving activities should be established.

Mood change, sleep disturbances, upset stomach, headaches, short temper and job dissatisfaction can be short term aliments to stress. Stress triggers the brain which in turn triggers the body in the flight or fight mode. In a threatening and dangerous situation it would be good for the body but when there is constant stress the body will think it is being threatening at all time, which can cause chronic diseases. Short episodes of stress is not as damaging long term episodes.. In the Encyclopedia of Occupational Safety and Health t states that stress on the job can cause an employee to have cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders, injury on the job, cancer, ulcer, impaired immune function and even suicide. Cardiovascular diseases are caused by demanding jobs with little or no control over the work place. Musculoskeletal disorders such as upper and lower back pain are also caused by job stress. Workplace injury is a growing concern for organizations