1“Research commissioned by Mind has found that work is the most stressful factor in people’s lives with one in three people (34 per cent) saying their work life was either very or quite stressful, more so than debt or financial problems (30 per cent) or health (17 per cent).”
Mind UK
There can be numerous causes of stress at work. Here are our top 10 causes of stress at work that we think are common, and somewhat avoidable!
1. Poor physical working environment
Working in a nice office can be stressful at the best of times, but a bad physical environment on top of any other work stress is not a good place to be! It’s something that can easily be remedied with a bit of personalisation and character added to the office and your space within it, some of our wellbeing care packages contain some nice desk fillers to add a bit of stress relieving décor to your office space.
2. Poor work relationships
Getting along with colleagues and bosses is another thing that can reduce stress at work. Now, we’re not expecting you to suddenly become best friends with every person you interact with in the office. However, putting in the effort to form better personal relationships with people at work can really relieve pressure, and stress – it’s much easier working in a team that likes each other!
3. Work Pressure / High workloads
As an employee you may not have as much control over this one… Sometimes work is just busy! 276% of employees cite workload as a cause of stress. However, breaking down your tasks and prioritising what needs to get done asap and what has a bit more leeway can really help reduce stress. A little bit of organisation goes a long way!
4. Poor Organisation
Continuing from cause number 3. A lack of organisation can really cause a lot of stress at work without you even realising what the source is. We believe a notepad, pen, and a few minutes of strategic planning every day will really make a difference. Nothing relieves stress as much as ticking a task off your list after its completion! We personally think that the V&A notebook from our “destination wellness care package” is a pretty good way to start creating those to-do lists…
5. Long Hours
Another one that’s hard to control in a literal sense as an employee, but mentally it is something that can be managed. Long hours can be stressful as fatigue sets in, so ensuring your able to switch off after a day’s work is crucial, especially if you’re working a lot of hours. Rest is important!
6. Low levels of recognition and rewards
Sometimes, feeling like you’re floating under the radar of higher ups despite working your socks off can be mentally taxing. If you’re an employer, it’s key to make sure that every individual in the workforce feels like their work is genuinely appreciated. This not only reduces stress in the workplace but also boosts morale! We think our wellbeing care packages are a great way to start rewarding employees. Showing them that you recognise the hard work they contribute day in, day out.
7. Not receiving enough information or support
Communication is key. Well, that’s what we think at Brown Paper Packages anyway, and we’re sure you’ll agree. If you don’t receive enough information to do your job, simple tasks can become very stressful. It’s crucial that everyone knows what they’re doing and are supported if they’re not quite sure. A bit of communication can really help create a far less stressful work environment.
8. Working From Home
A big cause of stress for some in this current age of working from home can be exactly that - 311% of employees cite working from home as a cause of stress. To combat any anxiety or stress caused by this, it’s important to try and get outside and remain social where you can.
9. Over management
We get it managers, you want us to do our job well… Remember though, that if people aren’t stressed about speedy turnarounds and an overwhelming number of deadlines, they tend to be more productive. A project created in a stressful environment will rarely be as good as one created with a friendlier approach.
10. Unclear Expectations
Last but not least on our top 10 causes of stress at work are unclear expectations. They can be a real killer when it comes to stress at work. It’s hard enough meeting high expectations, but if you’re unsure as to what those expectations are, how are you meant to know what’s wanted from you? Nothing is more stressful than questions like that bouncing around your head. So it’s extremely important that employers are clear on what is expected, to minimize any stress that may be caused otherwise.
Hopefully after looking at our top 10 causes of stress at work, you feel that you have a better idea of not only what could be causing you stress, but also how to deal with stress at work.
[1] https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/work-is-biggest-cause-of-stress-in-peoples-lives/
[2] https://championhealth.co.uk/blog/top-causes-stress-work/
[3] https://championhealth.co.uk/blog/top-causes-stress-work/
