Manage Job Stress

Job stress causes a worker to feel overly taxed both mentally and physically. It affects both workers and employers.

What Causes Job Stress?

1. •Too much work to do. Conflicting expectations.
   

2. •Lack of support from co-workers and bosses.
   

3. •Crowded, noisy, unsafe work conditions. Infrequent rest breaks.
   

4. •Rapid changes for which workers are not prepared. Job insecurity. If not dealt with, job stress can lead to health problems.
   

Signs & Symptoms of Job Stress

1. •Hard time concentrating. Headache.
   

2. •Sleep problems. Stomach problems.
   

3. •Short temper.
   

4. •Job dissatisfaction. Low morale.
   

5. •Increase in being late for work or not going to work.
   

Ways to Manage Job Stress

1. •Schedule your time and tasks to be done. Use a calendar, planner, “TO DO” lists, etc. Rank order tasks. Break tasks down into steps. Check off items that are done.
   

2. •Organize your work space to make it easier to find things. Get rid of items and e-mails that you don’t need.
   

3. •Ask for help from your boss and co-workers, as needed. Ask your boss for the order in which your job tasks need to be done.
   

4. •Take breaks. Get enough sleep.
   

5. •Leave work at work. Try not to take work home. If this is not possible, take as little work home as you need to.
   

6. •Plan for and take vacations that give you a rest from work.
   

7. •Relax as much as you can. (See also, Manage Stress and Self-Care / Prevention for Stress & Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.)

1. Workplace Health & Safety