The Most Common Signs Of Workplace Stress
Stress at the workplace has become almost a phenomenon among Australians, costing the government almost 134 million dollars in workers’ compensation due to stress-related issues occurring on the job.
Alarmingly, 90% of workers’ compensation claims from 2009 to 2013 were attributed to mental disorders due to stress at work, according to Safe Work Australia.
Studies have also shown that work-related stress can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
There are three major signs to look out for that may be caused by workplace stress:
- Psychological signs
Psychological symptoms caused by workplace stress may often go unnoticed for a long period of time, gradually taking its toll until the sufferer seeks the appropriate help. Feelings of anxiety, depression or an onset of negativity or an inexplicable reason for feeling unwilling to go to work may be common signs of workplace stress. When normal work suddenly becomes overwhelming, there is often an adjoined feeling of inability to cope with the workload, or not completing tasks in the usual timeframe.
- Physical signs
Sometimes stress can manifest itself physically, producing flu-like symptoms. Often these signs are ignored or overlooked. Also, headaches, especially tension headaches can occur due to stress at work, but these might be overlooked as being caused by looking at the computer screen for too long. Physical symptoms such as diarrhoea or constipation can be caused by stress from work, while other symptoms include fatigue, back or neck pain, sleeping problems and even a breakout of acne or pimples.
- Behavioural signs
Over time, behavioural signs of workplace stress may start to appear in an individual, which may be entirely out of character for them. Such signs of behavioural problems due to stress at work include the most common sign of all – absenteeism. However, other behavioural signs of stress include a diminished sense of creativity or a lack of enthusiasm to contribute to discussions at work. Noticeable irritability and impatience at work may be sure signs of workplace stress, which psychologists recommend treating before these behaviours worsen. If you notice a considerable drop in work performance in someone, you should pay attention to that person’s stress level.
With these signs, and the heavier demands placed on people in this faster-paced work environment, it is recommended to have certain helpful exercises put in place to reduce the number of stress-related problems at work.
For more information relating to workplace stress or if you need advice for your or a colleague, contact us today for professional support.
Related Tag: Workplace Stress Management Melbourne
