Ergonomics - Stress in Today\'s

Ergonomics - Stress

In today's lifestyle, stress is often one of the major factors resulting in a loss of work hours and indeed workers losing their jobs. Managers have reacted to this challenge in a variety of ways. It is commonly accepted in today's workplace and management practice that workers are optimally productive and hence of advantage to the business. Hence it is mutually beneficial for both managers and workers to reduce both positive and negative stress factors. In order to do this, the causes and indicators of stress need to be investigated and dealt with.

The most important and debilitating factor is chronic illness. According to Chapman, stress contributes to heart disease, hypertension, and high blood pressure. In addition, it impairs the immune system, making the employee susceptible to general ailments such as colds and chronic fatigue. Chronic common ailments such as these are therefore a first indicator of undue workplace stress.

Another indicator of undue workplace stress is substance abuse. A stressed worker tends to especially indulge in socially acceptable substances such as drinking or even overeating. The irony is that these practices only causes the illusion of reducing stress, while in fact increasing the problem and its related ailments. Furthermore, the abuse of alcohol and other harmful substances detracts from the worker's ability to perform effectively.

Related indicators can then be chronic tardiness and a sharp decline in the quality of work delivered. Further effects may lead to an inability to interact effectively with colleagues and clients. This then results in considerable losses in both financial and reputation terms for the company.

Negative stress can then be created by elements such as sexual or other harassment by superiors, unreasonable performance demands, long working hours, and excessive travel demands, with time away from home and family. Negative stress factors then relate to demanding more of an employee than he or she is able to provide.

Positive stress, on the other hand, relates to the underutilization of an employee's talents. Such an employee may for example feel underutilized and underappreciated. The employee may also feel that his or her rewards do not match the talents and abilities brought to the workplace. This results in a lack of control and power in determining one's own responsibilities (Chapman). A lack of adequate communication in the workplace lead to further feelings of stress in this regard.

Both positive and negative stress therefore relate to an employee's lack of control over his or her workplace demands. It is therefore this lack of control that should be the focus of investigation into stress indicators. The root of the matter needs to be eradicated before effective changes can be implemented.

It should also be kept in mind that some stress in the workplace is not always negative. Indeed, a certain measure of stress is necessary for optimal performance. The manager should however be very careful to provide the correct amount of stress for optimal performance. Communication is therefore of great importance. It should also be kept in mind that an adequate balance needs to be maintained between work and family.