Hello, hardworking warrior! Do your days at the office sometimes feel like fighting on an endless battlefield? Relax, you are not alone. Work stress, like an invisible shadow, often lurks behind a computer screen or at your desk. According to Handoko (2008: 200), work stress is a condition of tension that affects the thought process, emotions, and condition of a person, as a result stress that is too excessive can threaten a person's ability to deal with the environment and will ultimately interfere with the implementation of his tasks. Well, speaking of this stress, what are the factors that trigger stress at work, huh? Check this out!
1. Heavy workload
Too heavy workload is indeed one of the main factors that can cause work stress. When a person feels like there are too many tasks or responsibilities to face in a limited amount of time, this can put significant stress. According to Lazarus (1985) quoted from the website Psychology Mania, excessive workload, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively redundant tasks occur when a job is completed in a short time. While the task is qualitatively excessive when the demands of the job are higher than the knowledge and skills of workers.
2. Unsupportive work environment
An unsupportive work environment in the workplace can have a negative impact on employee well-being and overall company productivity. In some situations, a lack of support from superiors or an imbalance in internal competition can make the working atmosphere unpleasant.
3. Limited career advancement opportunities in the work environment
Career development is an important aspect of one's work experience. According to Mangkunegara (2017: 77), one of the goals of career development is to show employee welfare relationships. The company helps employees in planning careers, one of which is by creating an atmosphere and welfare relationships between employees in order to cause employees with high loyalty to the company. However, when employees face a lack of opportunities for growth, this can be a serious challenge that affects motivation, performance and job satisfaction. For example, when an employee's accomplishments are not recognized, they may lose motivation to try harder. A lack of appreciation can create significant dissatisfaction and stress.
4. Personal problems
Keep in mind, not always stress comes from work tasks in the office. Stressors at work can also arise from external factors that interfere with the mind. Personal constraints, such as in family relationships, friendships, or with a partner, can put stress on the mind that can ultimately hinder productivity levels.
5. Work-life balance issues
Work-life balance has become a central issue in the modern world of work. Busy work schedules and high job demands often leave employees with little time for family, hobbies or other activities. This can create an imbalance that is detrimental to personal well-being. With technology constantly evolving, employees often stay connected to work outside of official business hours. Messages, calls and sudden demands can invade downtime, causing ongoing stress and worry.
After exploring the factors that trigger stress at work, now is the time to find ways to deal with stress at work and you can try some of the following tips!
1. Efficient use of time
Efficient use of time at work to maximize work results within the given time. This has an important role in avoiding factors that trigger work stress. For example, stay away from the habit of putting work off until close to the deadline or piling up tasks and finishing them on weekends. If possible and you have free time, you can pay in installments in advance. With efficient use of time, you don't need to pile up work and take it home, so your performance can be more organized and consistent.
2. Support and open communication
Build a positive company culture and open communication such as between superiors and employees for employee career development, provide constructive feedback and encourage open conversations about career goals. Employees should feel comfortable raising concerns or seeking help when needed. Improving interaction and cooperation within a team can also form a more positive environment. Regular meetings and information sharing can reduce uncertainty and increase understanding among team members.
3. Provision of mental health programs
Providing mental health programs, such as counseling or mental health training sessions can help employees cope with stress. It provides the resources and support needed to maintain mental health.
4. Fair distribution of tasks and evaluation of workload
Ensure that workloads and responsibilities are shared fairly between teams so that individuals can focus on tasks that align with their expertise. This can prevent imbalances that can cause stress and can increase overall efficiency and productivity, because each team member can contribute optimally without feeling overwhelmed. Conducting regular evaluations and adjusting the distribution of employee tasks can also help prevent job buildup that can cause stress. Make sure each team member has a workload that can be handled.
Last step, let's together create a supportive workplace, where you can grow and develop without being burdened by excessive stress. Don't give up and believe in yourself!
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