| Many surveys have been conducted on how stress | | | | Lack of training |
| affects the workplace. Some of the findings paint a | | | | Lack of control or input |
| pretty dismal picture about how much influence | | | | Personal and family issues |
| stress has on many aspects of work. For instance, a | | | | All these issues can be grouped into three categories. |
| study in the United Kingdom estimated that up to | | | | The first might be termed 'how you do the job'. |
| 80% of industrial accidents could be attributed to | | | | The second might be seen as 'how the job treats |
| stress. It concluded that stress could be costing the | | | | you'. |
| community up to $14 billion a year in lost productivity | | | | And the third relates to issues away from the job |
| and health related costs. This is a huge amount of | | | | that may affect your performance at work. |
| money that could be saved if the work environment | | | | If some of these issues are affecting your work and |
| could be made less stressful. The money saved could | | | | causing you undue stress then you need to take |
| be used in far better ways like funding education or | | | | action. And this revolves around speaking up. Voice |
| improving the health service. This article will discuss | | | | your concerns to the management. After all, the |
| what makes a work environment stressful and how | | | | better you do your job, the better shape their |
| to make this environment stress free. | | | | company will be in. As a responsible manager they |
| In the United Kingdom legislation is now in place | | | | should work to reduce your stress levels. After all, |
| whereby employers are obliged to offer stress | | | | that is their job. |
| awareness training to their employees. Even if the | | | | There are many different ways you could ask for |
| employee doesn't take the training, so long as it has | | | | your employers help in reducing your stress, but if |
| been offered, the companies have fulfilled their legal | | | | you make outrageous claims or demands the |
| obligation. The intention is clear, however, that the | | | | chances are you will receive an unfavorable reaction. |
| government recognize how important it is to reduce | | | | Here are some guidelines to ensure that you work |
| stress in the workplace. | | | | together with your manager or employer to reduce |
| However, it's not really up to the government or | | | | stress and get the best results. |
| individual businesses when it comes to your stress in | | | | Firstly, make sure you have some solutions to the |
| the workplace. Ultimately it is your responsibility to | | | | problems you are facing. Have at least two solutions |
| take action against stress. Having some formal | | | | that benefit both yourself and your employer. If your |
| anti-stress policies should only make it easier for you | | | | solutions are biased towards you then a dialog can be |
| to take action. | | | | started around the finding a solution to the issue. |
| The main causes of stress in the work environment | | | | Don't be confrontational or aggressive when |
| include : | | | | discussing the issues with your employer. Approach |
| Increased workload | | | | the issue in a serious, professional way. You may find |
| High demands | | | | that you will be taken more seriously and treated |
| Long or difficult hours | | | | with respect. |
| Lack of support | | | | It is important to remember that you have as much |
| Organizational changes | | | | input into your job as anyone else. Ensuring that the |
| Poor management communication | | | | work is stress free is beneficial for both you and |
| Poor work organization | | | | your employer. Working towards creating a stress |
| Inadequate staff numbers and resources | | | | free environment is the ultimate goal of both parties. |
| Lack of recognition | | | | |