Is stress really a legitimate workplace hazard? Yes, stress isabsolutely a workplace hazard. Though certain type of stress at workplace isnormal to deal with, high amount stress can affect with your productivity andperformance as well as impacting your emotional and physical health.Furthermore, a high amount workload, too many demands at once and lack of supportfrom coworkers, can contribute to a feeling of panic and frustration that thereis not enough time to complete the given task or any work.
According to theauthors of “Performance Under Pressure: Managing Stress in theWorkplace,” if these conditions routinely result in overtime or having totake work home, the stress of being unable to manage time efficiently can fuelemployees’ resentment toward the company as well as negatively influence theircommitment and loyalty. Anytime you have men or women who are working withheavy machines where there is the chance that they can get hurt, you want thesepeople to be as focused on their jobs as possible. A stressed out individualwho is day dreaming or thinking of other worries is far more likely to hurthimself or hurt someone else than an employee who is stress free. Moving on, stressaffects your capability to remember things and physical tasks that requireconcentration. You are way more distracted and prone to make harmful or even disastrousmistakes on the job when you are mentally exhausted from all of the anxieties,and tension brought on by a stressful lifestyle.
Reducing stress levels foryour workers’ health is not only important for their wellbeing, it also leadsto improved organizational performance. So, in addition to your legalcompliance obligations, there are good reasons to carefully review potentialstressors in your business and take steps to remove them. One key factor thatcan improve your organization overall when dealing with work-related stresswould be having clear communication and consultation regarding risk managementof stress. Other than that, managers have to ensure that they are committed todealing with work-related stress as well as ensuring all workers participate instress management activities. Example of stress management activities includesproviding feedback, undertaking planning, and risk assessment, and implementingcontrol options. In conclusion, teaching workers to manage stress in a helpfulway will not only improve their productivity but also create a saferenvironment, one where everyone is focused on work and not on other things.