Work related stress has become a leading cause of chronic illness, contributing to burnout, depression, musculoskeletal disorders, workplace injuries, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Even more so with the current economic hardship being experienced across Nigeria in the form of high cost of living and insecurity.
As a result of this prevailing situation, facilities managers and service providers are facing an enormous task to ensure the workplace is in a conducive state to provide the necessary support for its occupiers.
Apart from making sure the basic amenities are in place to guarantee the wellness and wellbeing of all end users of the built environment, facilities managers, working together with the senior management of their organisations, should encourage employees to practice healthy lifestyles like walking, exercising, resting and eating well to prevent sickness.
Work related stress is caused by various reasons some of which include heavy duty demands, poor working conditions, negative working relationships, among others.
Heavy Duty Demands: This occurs when skillsets and competencies of the employee cannot cope with the organisation’s expectations.
Poor working conditions: This is common in Nigeria and is a major cause for stress for employees. This kind of stress is experienced when workers are not given the necessary tools and environment to work with and meet the higher demands of the workplace.
Toxic work environments: A toxic work environment also contributes to stress in the workplace. A workplace where employees cannot express their opinions and where the workers don’t have mutual respect can be highly stressful and could hinder the performance of the employees.
Managing Work Stress
Stress management includes a wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person’s level of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of and for the motive of improving everyday functioning. The process of stress management is named as one of the keys to a happy and successful life in modern society, as stress management provides several ways to manage anxiety and maintain overall wellbeing.
Workplace stress management are recommended ways that are designed to help reduce stressors in the work environment. The aim of stress management is to help employees manage the stress of everyday life.
Improvement of working conditions: Providing the tools to be efficient in the workplace and a healthy and balanced work environment help to reduce stress and improve job satisfaction for the employees.
Work roles should be clearly stated and maintained. An employee taking on many roles can lead to confusion and stress.
Negative working relationships between employees should be discouraged and checked as quickly as possible.
Periodical leisure and recreational activities are encouraged. This promotes work harmony.
Seminars and workshops on stress management can be organised to help employees understand stress and develop personal techniques that can help.
Stress reduction polices like annual vacations, sick leaves, and mental health days off should be in place in organisations. These resting periods help employees renew their energies and get them refreshed to face their duties.
Encourage the employees to participate in decisions and actions that affect their jobs.
The workplace is constantly going to be stressful. Employees are encouraged to find a balance to prevent burnout or complete breakdown, while employers are advised to put polices in place to make the workplace less stressful and to energise their workforce.
