Occupational Stress

Occupational Stress - Meaning and Definition

Occupational stress can be defined as the type of stress that one undergoes when their job starts to take a toll on their mental and physical health. Rather than a bad day at the office, it is a long-term thing that can really affect how one feels, both inside and outside of work.

Types of Occupational Stress

There are different kinds of occupational stress that one might face at work. They are:

New Job Stress:

New job stress is that overwhelming feeling that one experiences while trying to figure things out when they start a new job.

Acute Stress:

Acute stress comes from specific situations, like a big deadline or giving a presentation.

Workplace Conflict Stress:

You may experience workplace conflict stress when you're dealing with difficult people or getting bullied.

Fear-Based Stress:

Fear-based stress is the worry about job security or feeling like you have way too much on your plate. And if stress goes on for too long, you can end up with burnout, which is complete exhaustion – physically and emotionally.

What Leads to Occupational Stress - Common Reasons

So, what causes all this stress? A lot of times, it's poor workforce management practices – like bosses who don't support their team or give them any freedom. Job demands like heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and not having the skills you need for your job can also be major stressors. Even the work environment can play a role – things like loud noises or a poorly lit office. And sometimes the challenges of balancing work and personal issues.

How Does Occupational Stress Affect An Employee?

Occupational stress can lead to all sorts of problems. You might start to feel anxious or depressed or have trouble sleeping. It can even contribute to serious health issues like heart problems or muscle pain. Plus, stressed-out employees are more likely to miss work, quit their jobs, and be less productive.

How Can I Effectively Deal with Occupational Stress?

The good news is that occupational stress can be managed. The first step to achieving it is figuring out what's causing it in the first place. Then, you can take proactive measures to fix them. Some of the remedies that can work include improving working conditions, offering employee support programs, and encouraging a better work-life balance. There are even tools available, like the Occupational Stress Scale, that can help organizations measure the stress levels of their employees and come up with solutions.