Life at work can be stressful. It is easy to tell people to leave work at the door, but we all know the difficulty of such a task. Sometimes, stress from work is hard to shake off, especially when you can access work from the computer in your pocket: your phone. With technology providing us with new ways to access work and keep open communication, sometimes the demands of our job are greater than what we signed up for or paid for.
Americans have always been known for their strong work ethic. This is based on our immigrant past, where you had to hustle to get a good reputation around where you lived. Sometimes, though, employers are demanding, leading to unhealthy living and work conditions. When you do not feel as if you are valued at work or do not feel you have any decision-making power over your work responsibilities, it can lead to genuine and very physical ailments. California thankfully recognizes that mental health is a necessary component of working. Because of this, California has passed laws protecting those with mental illness due to work-related stress.
The latest research from the American Institute of Stress states that workplace stress is at a record high. It is a significant source of anxiety for employees in the United States.
Over the past decade, there have been increasing pressures to perform work, high workloads, toxic work environments, heavy technological demands, and job insecurity. Stress is naturally everywhere, but stress in the workplace has reached a whole new level for many. If you recognize that you are suffering from anxiety in the workplace, it is essential to know the causes so you can take the necessary steps to manage it better.
To better control workplace stress, you must first understand why it happens. Below are some of the most common reasons for stress in the workplace:
- Job insecurity: This may be the most critical component responsible for stress in the workplace. With today’s economy uncertain and competition high, it is no wonder employees stress about job security. The fear of losing their job and meeting high demands increases performance pressure. A situation like this allows employees to showcase their abilities and strengths. This results in working long hours or overtime. These high expectations from any employee are a sure reason to cause stress.
- Workload: Probably the most apparent reason for stress in the workplace. The current job trend is to hire limited employees and use them effectively. The reasoning behind this? Companies want to know to what extent employees are working smarter and whether employees are continuing to do the same routine but with an extra workload. Increased job demand means that employees are forced to work more than usual. High-ranked superiors expect their employees to complete large amounts of work quickly or before a deadline.
- Lack of training and resources: It is undoubtedly tough to meet job demands if an employee is not adequately trained for the project. Employees trained and ready for the task can execute and meet deadlines without much trouble. On the other hand, if an employee is assigned a task requiring the proper skill set, they will likely get nervous from the demands.
- Lack of control over work activities: It can create stress when employees are given responsibilities but no authority in their work. Employees will also lose interest in their work since they have little control over decision-making.
- Managerial style: Certain controlling styles of managers have been known to affect employees’ stress levels. Some managers with very autocratic control styles give little freedom to their employees regarding decision-making or planning. Unsurprisingly, employees working under these conditions become stressed due to the lack of control over their work with high restrictions.
Stress Symptoms
We have all had a stressful day. Usually, we can quickly recover because the event usually has a beginning and an end. The stress may result in some minor discomfort, but there are no long-standing issues overall. But what if you were subjected to a continuous lengthy amount of strain daily? What if there wasn’t a way for you to leave the stress? Stress has a funny way of showing itself. Stress ailments are very individualized, but there are some commonalities:
- Nervousness.
- Upset stomach.
- Lack of sleep.
- Sadness.
- Anger.
- Irritability.
- Frequent illnesses.
- High blood pressure.
These are just several ailments. Our workers’ compensation attorneys at JML Law, a Professional Law Corporation in Los Angeles, have dealt with many clients with mental stress who need representation. Even though California has embraced mental health, many insurance companies are suspicious of claims. Since mental health illnesses are complex to determine where they started, it can be hard to file claims with an accurate start date. Because of this, it can be challenging for insurance companies to know how to compensate; therefore, they may delay or deny a claim.
What To Do
Identifying the causes and symptoms of stress in the workplace is essential. It is not very difficult and only requires some effort. Understanding workplace stress allows you to recognize them before they become problematic. The workplace can be a great source of stress, and we must find healthy ways to cope.
Our workers’ compensation attorneys at JML Law, a Professional Law Corporation, understand that stress-related illnesses are more than just being unhappy. When some are dealing with mental anxiety and the physical manifestation of stress, it can influence your entire life. You are not the same person. You lose interest in your job and social life, creating isolation and a desire to seclude you. Don’t let the insurance companies bully you into thinking you are not eligible for compensation. Call 818-610-8800 or click here to talk with our professionals at JML Law, a Professional Law Corporation today.
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