EFFECTS OF STRESS IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
Today's business world is taking its toll on employees. Corporate takeovers create layoffs, and emphasis on productivity produces paranoia. With job security a thing of the past, it's little wonder that an ever growing number of employees suffer from stress. In an attempt to motivate their employees, companies are creating stressed individuals with psychological, physical, and behavioral problems.
Psychological problems induced by stress come in many forms. Anxiety is often one of the first symptoms to appear. The burdened individual feels unable to cope within his work environment. Even if he tries to hide his symptoms, he may find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly. Preoccupied with his problems, the individual is unable to relax, and soon becomes irritable. Consequently, psychological distress begins to interfere with productivity, learning, and interpersonal relationships.
Psychological burnout is a prevalent affliction among those working in stressful situations. A study of employees in 18 companies found that about 45 percent suffered from this malady. Employees listed at greatest risk were those in jobs lacking goals where there was little supervisory support and high pressure to produce. Whereas in the working situation of the past, physical injury was the chief danger to workers, now it is mental strain.
Long term stress can be particularly devastating. Those who undergo stress day in and day out may experience a complete personality change. The person may become tense and explosive, often blowing up at minor things. He becomes a power keg ready to go off at the lightest provocation.
The stressed individual may lose his sense of concentration and subsequently focus on short term rather than long term outcomes. This is a paradoxical effect, for oftentimes it is the company's emphasis on productivity and exactness that creates the stress. Pa...