Work-related stress, referred to simply as job stress, is an inevitable occurrence where career and work life is concerned. This kind of stress is almost always part of the deal, whether we were able to snag the job of our dreams or we’re stuck doing something we don’t enjoy. In a nutshell, we may say that job stress is no big deal. Or so we think. But is it, really?

By definition, job stress is our negative physical, emotional and psychological response to a job that we find lacking in terms of capabilities, resources and needs. Job stress can put a strain on our performance at work and even on our personal lives. It can also lead to serious health conditions if the level of stress becomes intolerable for us. This is the time when job stress becomes seriously damaging to our well-being.

Factors that may lead to job stress

Each workplace has its own cause of stress. In the same way, each individual has his or her own tolerance with regards to job stress. We therefore say that job stress is subjective.

What may be stressful to one person may not be stressful for another person. This is because job stress is a subjective matter. Regardless of the fact that each company or organization has its own cause of stress, the employees’ reaction to it differs because of the level of stress tolerance that each of us have. Generally though, there are certain factors that cause job stress on a universal scale:

Task designs

The structure of the tasks assigned to an employee may not suffice in the utilization of his or her skills. This deficiency may cause the employee to feel unexcited and unchallenged about the said tasks, thus diminishing his or her eagerness to excel.

Management style

There are employers who tend to exclude their employees’ welfare to a great extent. This management style is ineffective; it will only lead to a disgruntled and stressed-out workforce.

Relationship with peers

Poor social environment may also be the culprits behind job stress. Physical isolation is not an ideal workplace set-up because it will keep the employees from feeling a sense of belongingness and camaraderie with their fellow employees.

Career concerns

Career growth, or the lack of it, is also a major cause of job stress. People who are not happy with their jobs find it physical and mental difficulty to push themselves to their potentials

Physical workplace conditions

Unpleasant, or otherwise dangerous workplace conditions is a bothersome reality that can cause stress to most people.

Job stress has the ability to take away an individual’s commitment to thrive in his or her job. But then again,a committed and result-oriented workforce will not be hard to find, provided that their needs as employees are properly met. Or, at the very least, a compromise between the employers and their employees is agreed upon by both parties.