3 Common Causes of Workplace Stress

Stress in the workplace isn’t a new concept, nor is it uncommon. According to Britain’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE), workplace stress is on the rise, reaching new heights that weren’t seen pre-pandemic. No matter what industry you work in, or what your job is, there is a very high chance that you experience stress in the workplace, even occasionally.

The problem with stress is that it results in negative effects mentally and physically, and so it shouldn’t be swept under the rug. Here we’ll take a look at the three most common causes of workplace stress. Identifying the cause is half the battle, as then you can start to find a way to remedy the situation.

Your Plate Is Far Too Full

One of the most common causes of workplace stress is feeling like you’ve got far too much to do, too many responsibilities, too many tight deadlines and too many projects on the go. When you’re stretched thin, the quality of your work suffers, you’re more likely to make mistakes, nothing is getting your full attention, and you just feel flustered and stressed.

For employees in this situation, this is a red flag and it’s time to ask for help. You can speak to your supervisor about feeling overwhelmed and look for ways to make your job run smoother. On the flip side, if you’re management and you’re feeling this way, it’s probably time to embrace the art of delegating work. Learn when, what and how to delegate to others so you aren’t taking on too much.

A Lack of Equality and Inclusion

Another cause of workplace stress is a severe lack of equality and inclusion in the workplace, which will wear on employees and chip away at the overall morale. Word also gets out that it’s the kind of company that doesn’t value people and treat people equally, so the company will likely have a hard time attracting and retaining top talent.

Unfortunately, there isn’t usually a quick fix for this issue; instead, the employer must take the time to learn about what equality and inclusion truly mean. At that point they can start to make changes within the company to make an equal playing field for all, allowing all employees to feel included and valued.

A company that treats everyone equally, giving everyone the same opportunities and the same tools for success, will be able to drastically reduce workplace stress.

Not Having the Right Skills and Tools to Do the Job

If an employee feels completely unprepared to do the job that is expected of them, you can bet they will feel stressed. Perhaps you are in a job where you don’t feel you have enough or the right kind of training, skills and/or tools to do what is required. This will leave you feeling overwhelmed and completely unprepared. You are set up for failure in this case. Again, speaking to your supervisor or HR representative to voice your concerns and stress is usually the best idea.

This is just a small look at the many reasons employees can feel stressed at work. The fact is that the more open employees can be about their concerns, and the more receptive management is, the stronger the workplace will be.