Job Stressors
Nearly everyone agrees job stress results from the interaction of the worker and the conditions of work.
While it's challenging to pinpoint a single "greatest" cause of workplace stress universally, various studies and surveys have highlighted that certain factors consistently rank high as major stressors for employees. One of the most commonly cited causes of workplace stress is job insecurity.
Job Insecurity
In many surveys and studies, especially in times of economic downturn or industry disruptions, the fear of layoffs, reductions in pay, or lack of advancement opportunities can lead to significant stress among employees. The uncertainty about the future and the potential inability to provide for oneself or one's family can be deeply unsettling.
Other workplace stressors may include:
- Lack of access to the tools and equipment needed to perform work safely.
- Fear of employer retaliation
- Facing confrontation from customers, patients, co-workers, supervisors, or employers.
- Adapting to new or different workspace and schedule or work rules.
- Having to learn new or different tasks or take on more responsibilities.
- Having to work more frequent or extended shifts or being unable to take adequate breaks.
- Physically demanding work.
- Learning new communication tools and dealing with technical difficulties.
- Blurring of work-life boundaries, making it hard for workers to disconnect from the office.
- Finding ways to work while simultaneously caring for children including overseeing online schooling or juggling other caregiving responsibilities.
- Concerns about work performance and productivity.
- Concerns about the safety of using public transit as a commuting option.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. What is most commonly cited as the greatest cause of workplace stress?
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