Many employees agree one of the most common problems in the workplace today is stress.

Stress causes loss of productivity, loss of efficiency, increased employee absenteeism, and many other problems. Stress comes from several aspects of an employees life: the workplace, social factors, and personal factors. Many aspects of the workplace can lead to employee stress. One of the main causes of employee stress is change. Change can come in many forms: changes in the industry, changes in the organizations strategies, organizational restructuring, policy changes, changes in responsibilities, and the addition of new equipment or technology. The work environment itself may also be a source of stress. Working conditions, lighting, inadequate equipment, an uncomfortable work station, physically demanding work, and shiftwork are all sources of workplace stress. Budget constraints, downsizing, fear of job loss and loss of benefits, layoffs, outsourcing, shorter work weeks, cuts in overtime, overflow of duties from not hiring new employees to fill positions, and a slowing economy all lead to worker insecurity and this in turn leads to worker stress. Such downsizing, in turn, leads to stress factors such as work overloads, hectic routines, infrequent breaks, long work hours, increased pressure, staff shortages and personnel problems, time pressure and deadlines. The introduction of new technology and equipment also leads to stress. Computer problems, e-mail overloading, incomprehensible jargon in manuals, lack of training, learning new skills, slow processing times, and unrealistic expectations are all stress factors introduced by the addition of new technology and equipment into the workplace. Dissatisfaction with the job can also lead to stress in the workplace. Factors such as barriers to achievement, harassment, lack of control over work, lack of feedback, lack of promotion, losing status, low pay, high performance expectations, poor work organization, role ambiguity, role conflict, uncertain job expectations, and unpredictable demands on time are all stressors that lead to job dissatisfaction.

Other workplace factors that lead to workplace stress include deregulation, international competition, management decision making, too many meetings, unproductive meetings, urgent important tasks, job demands, and underutilization of abilities. Social stress factors come from our dealings with other people. Problems with coworkers are the most common form of social stress in the workplace. Lack of communication, handling the problems of others, lack of support, poor social environment, social change, social conflict, social isolation, social/sexual behavior, and worker characteristics are all stress factors that come from dealing with coworkers. Another common cause of social stress is dealing with management. Discrimination, poor treatment of staff, inflexible management, poor supervisors attitude, having to report to others, and conflicts with supervisors/managers are all common stressors that are caused by dealing with managers. Managers also face difficulties leading to stress when dealing with subordinates. Other common forms of social stressors in the workplace are ethical discord, organizational politics, and teamwork. Personal stress factors are stressors that have to do with the person himself/herself, or his/her situation. Personal characteristics such as lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem, and health problems all contribute to personal stress. Situational stressors include debt/financial assets, family problems, physical assets, and an improper work/life balance. It is difficult to determine who experiences more stress corporate workers or entrepreneurs. Corporate executives seem to be burning out in record numbers. One of the key factors is the hectic pace of todays corporate environment. Many corporate executives are having difficulty finding the right work/life balance. This hectic pace and unbalanced lifestyle leads to many stress related illnesses such as poor health, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, alcohol and drug abuse, and dysfunctional relationships. The stressors for entrepreneurs are different. The life of the entrepreneur tends to revolve around work leaving little time for leisure activities. Entrepreneurs work long hours and

often take work home with then. They often do not have anyone to delegate work to and may not have coworkers to discuss problems with. Though the sources of stress are different, the results are not. Entrepreneurs also experience loss of health, illnesses, and dysfunctional relationships due to stress. Men and women do not seem to differ in the amount of stress they face only in their reaction to it. Women seem to be slightly more reactive to stress and report higher amounts of stress and related illness than men. Women tend to use more social support than men in dealing with stress, while men tend to use more avoidance than women. Women too are more likely to seek counseling or advice from professionals. Men and women both report the same top sources of stressfinances, time, worries about the future, academics, change, and personal relationships. Research suggests that workers under the age of 30 feel stress because most of these workers are entering their first career related job and must excell. Workers between the ages of 31 and 40 have job related stress due to job dissatisfaction from lack of feedback and lack of promotion. Organizational change, restructuring, and downsizing are some of the greatest job stressors. The effect is greatest on those who are left at the organization after this occursthe survivors. This change may leave the survivors feeling insecure, angry, and bitter. The tighter management tries to control the changes the greater these negative feelings will be. Survivors may become consumed with job survival and may become less effective as they focus less effort on their work. Ways to deal with organizational stress include minimizing changes in the work environment, providing adequate training, improving working conditions, providing adequate lighting, maintaining equipment, and using ergonomic work stations. It is also important to maintain open communication with employees. This minimizes fears of cut backs and layoffs and minimizes harmful gossip and rumors. Schedule frequent breaks and try to avoid long hectic work days. Provide employees with an onsite exercise and fitness room to help relieve stress, and for the employees who seem to be in stress crisis,

provide counseling and other health services. Also consider providing education on time management to help employees cope with multiple demands and deadlines. Dr. Marilyn M. Helms is The Sesquicentennial Endowed Chair and Professor of Management at Dalton State College and welcomes your comments at mhelms@em.daltonsate.edu or 706-272-2600.