Life in and out of the work place is filled with stress. Every business is striving to achieve their goals in the face of stiff competition and unfavorable economical conditions.  While some amount of stress is   useful, it can be destructive to both employees and the business if excessive stress is not managed properly.

Here are a few common causes of workplace stress:

• Unclear Requirements:

When assigned tasks are unclear, employees will have to spend time and energy figuring out what exactly has to be done.   This source of stress can be circumvented if supervisors give clear directives on tasks to be carried out. Employees on the other hand must seek clarity on assigned tasks and what is expected of them, to give them the confidence in executing tasks.

• Interpersonal Conflicts:

When the workplace is plagued with interpersonal conflicts, the physical and emotional health of employees are negatively affected, resulting in a decline in creativity and productivity. It is important to avoid conflicts as much as possible.  However, when conflicts are unavoidable, it is necessary to know how to handle them in order not to disturb the workflow.

• Multitasking:

Every employer is glad to engage employees who have the ability to multitask.  We often believe that we get more work done when we are able to do a number of things at the same time. This may not work for most people.  It appears beneficial but it may come with some errors and a lot of stress from having to split your focus in trying to complete more than one task.  To reduce this stress, it is best to organize your day by planning your activities in order of priority and executing them in that order.

It is easy to burn out in life’s roller coaster and the pressures of work but this can be reduced by following some simple routines like:

• Taking a walk during lunch break
• Talking to your supervisor about your work challenges
• Staying organized
• Listening to music on your way from work
• Ensuring comfort at where you perform your tasks. Eg, your desk

Employers can also help to reduce work-place stress by organizing corporate fun activities for all employees from time to time.

To keep employees and the business healthy and alive, it is necessary to watch out for possible stressors and determining ways to reduce or eliminate them if possible.