Solutions for the Most Common Causes of Workplace Stress

The workplace is more chaotic than ever before … are you up for the challenge?
If you are facing expanding workloads, tighter deadlines, and increased pressure to perform at work — you’re not alone! In today’s chaotic and constantly changing workplace, everyone seems stretched to the max!

With an already full plate and more added to it every day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus. Papers and files start piling up … important information gets lost or forgotten … deadlines begin to slip … and your stress level skyrockets.

Unfortunately, you can’t remove all the chaos that swamps you at work, but there are definitely tools that can help you better manage your time, your stress, and the overflow of information that bombards you every day.

Problem: Too much work
Solutions:

• Plan and organize your work
• Learn to set and communicate limits
• Delegate
  — Provide thorough, accurate directions and make your expectations clear
  — Set mini-deadlines
  — Empower the employee to carry out the job
• Group-related tasks
• Plan to do your more complicated tasks during your periods of high energy
• Speak with your supervisor about assigning/prioritizing tasks or hiring additional employees

Problem: Lack of organization
Solutions:

• Keep a planner, organizer or “to-do” list
• Use mind-mapping or a logic diagram to show how tasks are related
• Keep your desk free of clutter
• Set up a useful, uncomplicated filing system

Problem: Job dissatisfaction
Solutions:

• Find a way to gain more control over your work
• Suggest implementing an employee reward system
• Consider your options for a transfer or changing jobs
• Change your attitude

Problem: Poor working conditions/work environment
Solutions:

• Personalize your office with small reminders from home
• Use bright posters, cards and plants to make the office cheerful
• Follow safety rules and proper operating instructions for equipment, even if no one enforces them
• Make sure lighting, ventilation and temperature are appropriate
• Contact your union, if necessary

Problem: Poor communication
Solutions:

• Don’t assume
• Be assertive. Speak up when you need something, don’t understand something or have a problem.
• Use congruent words, tone and body language
• Ask management to encourage participation. (This may need to be done on a project-by-project basis, especially in situations where management is autocratic.)

Problem: Personality clashes
Solutions:

• Keep your anger in check
• Be assertive, not aggressive
• Meet with the person to reconcile differences, if possible
• Involve your supervisor, if necessary
• Keep your contact with the person to a minimum and on a strictly professional level

Problem: Un-challenging work
Solutions:

• Explore your options for transfer or promotion
• Volunteer for special committees such as planning parties and so on
• Ask for more responsibilities
• When planning your day, intersperse enjoyable tasks with tedious one

Problem: Inequality or gender-related bias
Solutions:

• Ask for a raise rather than waiting for one
• Raise management’s awareness of the issue
• Keep job performance high
• Be your own public relations officer
• Speak up and present your ideas at meetings
• Take charge and accept personal responsibility for changing your situation
• Project confidence
• Know the rules of organizational politics and build a network
• Transfer or change jobs, if necessary