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 an open communication, sometimes the demands of our job are greater than what we signed up for or what we are paid for.

Americans have always been known for their strong work ethic. This is based on our immigrant past where you had to hustle in order to get a good reputation around where you lived. Sometimes, though, employers are demanding in a way that leads to unhealthy living and work conditions. When you do not feel as if you are valued at work or you do not feel as if you have any decisions making power over your work responsibilities, it can lead to some very real 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 who are suffering from 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 stress for employees in the United States.

Over the past decade, there have been increasing pressures to perform work, high workload, toxic work environments and heavy demands of technology as well as 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 stress in the workplace it is important to know the causes so you can take the necessary steps to better manage it.

In order to better control workplace stress, you need to understand why it happens first. Below are some of the most common reasons for stress in the workplace:

  1. Job insecurity: This may be the single most important 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 offers a chance for 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.
  2. Workload: Probably the most obvious 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. An increase in job demand means that employees are forced to work more than usual. High-ranked superiors expect their employees to complete large amounts of work in a short time or before a deadline.
  3. Lack of training and resources: It is no doubt very tough to meet job demands if an employee is not properly trained for the project. Employees that are 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 in which they do not possess the proper skill set they will likely get nervous from the demands.
  4. Lack of control over work activities: Whenever employees are given responsibilities but no authority in their work, it can create stress. Employees will also lose interest in their work since they have little to no control in decision-making.
  5. Managerial style: Certain controlling styles of managers has been known to affect the stress levels of employees. There are some managers with very autocratic styles of control who give little freedom to their employees when it comes to decision-making or planning. It is no surprise that 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 are able to quickly recover because the event usually has a beginning and an end. The stress may result in some minor discomfort, but overall there are no long-standing issues. But, what if you were subjected to a continuous lengthy amount of stress every day? 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:

  1. Nervousness
  2. Upset stomach
  3. Lack of sleep
  4. Sadness
  5. Anger
  6. Irritability
  7. Frequent illnesses
  8. 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 who are dealing 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 hard to determine where they started, it can be hard for claims to be filed 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

It is important to identify the causes and symptoms of stress in the workplace. It is actually not very difficult and only requires some effort. When you understand stress in the workplace it allows for you to recognize them before they become problematic. The workplace can be a great source of stress and it is up to us to 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 not only mental anxiety, but the physical manifestation of stress it can influence your entire life. You are not the same person. You lose interest in your job, you lose interest in your social life, it creates feelings of isolation and desire to seclude. Don’t let the insurance companies bully you into thinking that 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.

Get your questions answered.

Contact Our Lawyers.

Every case is unique and needs to be evaluated by our experienced lawyers. If you have been injured in a work-related accident.

give us a call at 818-610-8800 or send us an email to schedule a free initial consultation. There is no risk to meet with us. We get paid only if we win your claim.