Stress at work

Introduction
Objective
Workload
What Is Stress?
A situation that creates excessive
psychological or physiological demands
on a person.

STRESS FEELINGS
Worry
Tense
Tired
Frightened
Elated
Depressed
Anxious
Anger
General Adaptation Syndrome
Alarm
Body tries to meet initial challenge of stressor.
Increased respiration, raised blood pressure, dilated
pupils, tensed muscles

Resistance
Fatigue, anxiety, and tension

Exhaustion
Prolonged and continual exposure to stressor.
Causes of Stress
Changes in the workplace:
Competition and change
Technological change
Increasingly diverse workforce
Downsizing
Employee empowerment and teamwork
Work/home conflict
WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical and mental health is
adversely affected by unpleasant
working conditions, such as high
noise levels, lighting, temperature
and unsocial or excessive hours.
Consequences of Stress
Physiological symptoms
e.g., increased blood pressure, headaches, heart
attacks
Psychological symptoms
e.g., job dissatisfaction, tension, anxiety, irritability,
boredom, procrastination
Behavioural symptoms
Changes in productivity, absence, turnover, eating
habits, smoking, drinking, etc.
EXTERNAL STRESSORS
Physical Environment
Social Interaction
Organisational
Major Life Events
Daily Hassles
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Noise
Bright Lights
Heat
Confined Spaces
How Do We Manage Stress?
Individual Approaches
Time management
Physical activity
Relaxation techniques
Building social support
How Do We Manage Stress:
Organizational Approaches
Selection and placement decisions
Goal setting
Redesigning jobs
Increasing employee involvement
Increasing organizational communication
Providing organizational wellness programs
Tips for Reducing Stress
At least two or three times a week, spend time with
supportive friends or family.
Ask for support when you are under pressure. This is
a sign of health, not weakness.
If you have spiritual or religious beliefs, increase or
maintain your involvement.
Use a variety of methods to reduce stress. Consider
exercise, nutrition, hobbies, positive thinking, and
relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
Reducing Stress in the
Workplace
Avoid electronic monitoring of staff. Personal supervision
generates considerably less stress.
Allow workers time to recharge after periods of intense or
demanding work.
Deliver important information that significantly affects
employees face to face.
Encourage positive social interactions between staff to
promote problem solving around work issues and increase
emotional support.
Keep in mind that staff need to balance privacy and social
interaction at work. Extremes can generate stress.
stressor
noise
Vibration
Heat
Dim lighting/psychological factor
(anxiety, fatigue, frustration, anger)
Environmental Stressor
Motion
Thermal Stress
Air Quality
Environmental Stressor
Motion
High Frequency Vibration
Low Frequency Vibration and Motion Sickness

Environmental Stressor
Thermal Stress
a. Excessive Heat
- sun, equipment, furnaces, boilers
- dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion
b. Excessive Cold
-Forstbite, Hypothermia, Health Endagerment


Environmental Stressor
Air Quality
Poor air quality = poor ventilation
Polluted by smog or carbon monoxide