Workplace stress

Stress as a hazard differs from other hazards such as toxic chemical, in that, unlike a toxic chemical whose effect can be identified through, for example, health assessment stress is identified in a very different way. Ways of identifying stress in the workplace include:

Human resource records, such as records of absenteeism, leave and turn over. this record could help one get to know the rate of loss of job interest among employees which is at times caused by stress
Incident reports are another important part of human resources record that helps us identify stress at workplace. Stress can lead to a decline in cognitive function among employees which leads to increased accidents and thus increase in number or incident reports among employees.
Workplace stress can also be marked by a change in behaviour of employees, including a reduction in performance, absenteeism, increase in mistakes and increase in irritability among employees.
Evidence of substance abuse among employees, for instance, abuse of alcohol, cigarette or even feel good drugs such as morphine can be a way of identifying workplace stress.
Workplace stress can be identified by the presence of frequent health complaints of headaches, insomnia, nausea, panic attacks, anxiety and even high blood pressure among employees.
Claims of compensation for the work injury, by employees, can be used to identify workplace stress.
Vocalization of experience of stress, by employees, can help in identifying workplace stress.
Organizational climate survey can be used to identify workplace stress because this survey always provides a clear picture of organizational needs.
A job satisfaction survey is also an important tool in identifying workplace stress.

Ways of assessing stress

Once stressed has been identified in workplace, just like other hazards it is important that it is assessed before identifying ways of controlling.as discussed earlier workplace hazard is different from other hazards as shown by ways of assessing it .to assess workplace stress.one has to ask the following questions:

Who is affected by workplace stress? This helps the assessor know the extent of the stress.
How are they affected by workplace stress? This assists in knowing the risk factors to workplace stress, and also the relationship between workplace demands and mediating factors.
What time does the workplace stress occur? Is it at continuous or it occurs at specific times, this also helps in identifying the cause of the stress?
What measures exist to control the stress? Are the measures put in place? This question enables an assessor to establish whether the stress can or is being controlled.
How is the stress affecting people? This helps the assessor know whether the stress is simple or complex and the extent it has affected the employees’ health and motivation, and also the productivity of the company.

Controlling workplace stress

Controlling workplace stress depends on the nature of stress. Therefore various ways exist, that can be used to control workplace stress. They include:

Minimizing workplace stress or putting in place measures that can help prevent this stress—for example, better communication, team building, discipline offenders and improved supervision.
They recognize the existence of stress. Managers in the workplace need always to acknowledge the existence of stress for them to set strategies of managing the stress. The following are strategies that show that managers of an organization acknowledge the existence of workplace stress.

Designing, documenting and implementing policies that guide in the prevention of stress. Also, the management of stress when it occurs—for example, putting in place grievances procedures and employee assistance programs.
They are encouraging employees to communicate effectively in case of dissatisfaction at the workplace.
In the presence of conflicts, managers should solve and not ignore it.
While finding solutions to workplace stress, the affected should always be involved.
The managers should always provide timely and effective feedback to workplace problems.

iii. Solving workplace problems is also an effective way of controlling workplace stress. Some ways of solving this problem include:

Establishing help programs to at least workers such as those working in the accident and emergency department.
Establishing clear performance expectations to supervisors at the workplace.
Addressing issues of workload and job design.
Promoting and encouraging teamwork among human resource personnel, supervisors, managers and employees.

Anticipating issues. This is referred to as a risk management approach, way of controlling workplace stress. It involves laying early strategies to be used in managing workplace stress in case of significant change in an organization, e.g. downsizing and major corporate restructuring