How to deal with stress

It's important to recognise the common causes of stress at work so that you can take steps to reduce stress levels where possible. . Workplace stress can be caused by a number of factors - from heavy workloads and over-promotion to bullying and blame culture.

Some common causes of stress in the workplace include: 

• High workloads - excessive amounts of work and unrealistic deadlines making people feel rushed, under pressure and overwhelmed.
• Insufficient workloads - this makes people feel that their skills are being underused. It can make people feel less secure in their job roles.
• Lack of control - having no control over work activities.
• No support - A lack of interpersonal support or poor working relationships leading to someone feeling alone.
• Lack of skills - People being asked to do a job for which they don't have experience or training.
• Adapting to change - Difficulty settling into a new promotion, both in terms of meeting the new role's demands and adapting to possible changes in relationships with colleagues.
• Job security worries - Concerns about job security, lack of career opportunities, or level of pay.
• Bullying or harassment.
• Blame culture - where people are afraid to get things wrong or to admit to making mistakes.
• Weak or ineffective management - this leaves employees feeling they don't have a sense of direction. 
• Over-management - this can leave employees feeling undervalued and affect their self-esteem.
• Multiple reporting lines - unclear chains of command, with each manager asking for their work to be prioritised.
• Lack of communication - Failure to keep employees informed about major changes to the business, causing them to feel uncertain about their future.
• Poor physical working environment - eg excessive heat, cold or noise, poor lighting, uncomfortable seating, faulty equipment, etc.

Conflict at work can also be a common area of stress, see managing conflict.