What does the job involve?
If the job involves career development, as long as they can exercise control, has enough time and does not experience frustrating delays or relationships, they will continue to enjoy work. However, for example, they feel the need of additional training of some kind, but either he supposed he couldn’t afford the time or it was beyond his control to arrange the training, then a situation of stress may develop.
Sometimes the perception being seen as inefficient creates stress in people with respect to their workload. If people are not seen to be productive, they often feel they may be seen as being inefficient, similarly, if they don’t adapt to new technology or are unclear about deadlines. This way we can see how the fear of being exposed begins to become stressful and problems result.
The feelings and expressions of emotion are often related to communication and responsibility at work which is skilled but subtle art of dealing with the human race.
Are the work conditions favourable?
A good job usually involves a measure of positive incentives, which encourages the worker to perform well and gain job satisfaction as a result. However, many jobs involve negative factors that put unwanted pressure (stress) on the worker, leading to adverse consequences.
For example:
- Physical danger, or the threat of it
- Poor physical working conditions
- Inflexible work schedules or unpredictable hours
- Organisational change, such as restructuring
Do you feel you have good working relationships?
Our relationships with other people depend very much on our own attitudes. We are different for different people, for example: talking to boss and talking to family members. Relationships tend to be significant causes of stress whether it is spouse, neighbour, boss or work colleagues. Therefore, do not underestimate the impact a difficult relationship may be having on ones life.
Life-events and change
Although there are other factors associated with work which may cause pressure to become stress, it is often major life-event or change which actually disrupts the balance. Recognising the significance that these changes or events may have on the life enables to make the necessary compensations in other areas if they occur. These are events which are unavoidable and will affect most of us, for example, death, illness or injury to our family and friends. Other events may relate to work, financial difficulties or marital problems. Events in isolation may be distressing but we are likely to be able to cope with them. However, too many life-events or changes in a short space of time will burden the coping resources, and illness is likely to result.
The outcomes of stress at work
Because occupational stress has become extensive, it has a very high cost on employees, their employers and organisations. Apart from the serious health problems that may occur due to stress, the loss of capacity to deal with situations can lead to poor career opportunities and sometimes the workers can end up losing their jobs.
There are many effects of work related stressor. The productivity of employees working in an organisation is highly affected due to stress. Employees may simply sit back and daydream during their working hours. Otherwise, the employees may react aggressively by creating conflicts which will lead to communication problems within the organisation. It will also have an impact on a worker’s psychological and physical health. Psychological consequences may include anxiety, boredom, low self-esteem, forgetfulness, depression, anger, apathy, or worry. Physical consequences may include, but are certainly not limited to, headaches, diabetes, fatigue, hypertension, chest and back pain, ulcers, or even infectious diseases. (site bbc).
A few examples of occupations which have high levels of stress are miner, officers, construction workers, pilots and journalists. Some of the recent studies which are related to the costs of work related stress show that in the UK, over 40 million working days are lost each year due to stress-related disorders. In Australia, the Federal Assistant Minister for Industrial relations estimated the cost of occupational stress to be around $30 million in 1994.Whereas, in the US; over half of the 550 million working days lost each year due to absenteeism are stress-related.
Making the most of pressure at work
Establishing resource for change
At work, organisational change or technology have also been identified as stress factors. Change causes conflict and discomfort, the effects of which are often underestimated. Therefore, a change in ones behaviour, approach or circumstance is a potential factor of stress in itself.
If you are not motivated by your job or do not enjoy the rewards it gives you, then adapting by improving your time-management skills is not going to help you. Determining if you have necessary resources to initiate a major change (like a new job) will help to decide how to approach this situation. But there might not be enough resources for changing the job, for example, finance, training etc. Therefore, changing job at this stage might be stressful. So by adapting and increasing resources, for example by attending a training course which would provide preparation for a change of job might be able to initiate the desired change.
Planning Change
It is useful to know how to approach change, it involves four stages:
- Determining the change desired
- Planning
- Consideration
- Action and assessment
The most crucial stage is the consideration. This may involve consultation with the work colleagues, family or friends which helps to establish the support that may be essential for the success of the plan. Often it will be lack of communication at this point which leads to an unsuccessful outcome. For example, in large organisations when change is implemented without those involved being encouraged to discuss the changes. To implement change, consultation will allow appropriate modifications and encourage the discussion of the benefits and new roles. It also helps to obtain support or acceptance.
Adapting and Motivation
If any change is initiated, there will be a new set of circumstances to which to adapt. For a change in jobs, there will be a new set of demands, colleagues and environment to adapt to. The only difference is that it will be your choice and therefore, you are duly motivated.
Adapting to existing circumstances that you cannot change often gets significantly harder because your motivation is not so great. When adapting to a new situation a good thought and planning should take place. It is also important to consider your motivating and supporting elements. Sometimes initial enthusiasm is not sufficiently motivating. To overcome this is to use the support of people at work and ensure that they wish to make changes or adaptations with you. Also, decide what you believe are the benefits and go for them. It is also a good idea to make a regular timetable and discuss how the scheme is working or if there is any modifications to be made. At the end enjoy the benefits and congratulate yourself on successfully adapting or changing.
Keeping demands within your capabilities
To continue to enjoy working under pressure, there are three main points to remember;
- Demands upon you, perceived or otherwise, should remain within your capability, and you must know where your limits lie.
- You must build up resources/skills to deal effectively with the demands you have chosen to accept.
- Be aware of life-event, some arising out of the blue, that are likely to befall you and do not underestimate their impact upon your coping abilities. When you become stressed, these three points may not apply because it is difficult to know your limits, and the events feel imposed on you.
Taking control
When pressure is working well, you feel certain and remain objective; therefore, it is not difficult to be confident to express your thoughts, wants, and needs clearly. Saying ‘NO’ is one of the hardest responses to make. It is often seen as being unco-operative, or an admission that you can’t cope with any more work. People are afraid of being unpopular or losing their job. Taking on too much and not knowing your capabilities, will result in your feeling hassled and rushed; your performance will suffer, more stress will develop and this will lead to more poor decisions. You may also be sensitive to how others will react to you. You should become aware of how you are reacting to requests and situations. If you are making the most of pressure and are well balanced, no alleged threat should be encountered.
Overcoming pressure at work
Setting your goals
Goals are the things you wish to achieve. They have to be realistic and achievable while being both challenging and interesting. They are one of the ways to balance your demands against your coping skills or resources. The greatest thing about planning goals is that it provides a focus for how we spend our time and energy.
Working towards our goals
After setting your goals now you are clear about what your goals are. If you are given new work, make sure you are clear about what is expected of you. If it is not practical then state this and negotiate. In that way you can keep heading towards goals even if they are new. Avoid interruptions if possible, as these break concentration. If people do interrupt, then organise a time later in the day to see them for a stated period. This will help you to resolve crises. Use of diary to write down deadlines, appointments and meetings will help you to retain information so that you will not miss them.
Delegation
Delegating work can be an excellent way of making the best out the possible resources. You can divert demands away from you, while making the person to whom you have delegated the task feel needed and part of the team. You must be very clear about the information and instruction you give, and what you expect to receive back. You must choose someone with the appropriate skills and resources to complete the task.
Time-management
If you want to use time more effectively, then you have to start from knowing what you are doing now. Disorganization, unclear goals, too many personal phone calls, no routines, poor planning, procrastination, lack of focus, lack of training, junk e-mail, internet surfing, etc. are all factors that steal our time and people often don’t make the connection that this is why they never have enough time. Working in this state is an absolute source for stress. You will get more work done if you establish routines and stick with them as much as you can, but you have to stay flexible and adaptable to the unexpected. Otherwise, when unplanned things happen, it’ll cause you just as much stress as trying to work without a plan.
Conclusion
References & Bibliography
International labour organisation – safe work program
Kendall, E., Murphee, P., O’Neill, V. & Bursnall, S. (2000). A report to the workers’
compensation and rehabilitation commission (Western
Australia).Occupational Stress: Factors that contribute to its occurrence and effective management. Centre for Human services (Griffith University).
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Szymanski, E. M. (1999). Disability, job stress, the changing nature of careers, and
the career resilience portfolio. Rehabilitation Counselling Bulletin. 42, pp 279-284.