Stress in the Workplace

People will tend to be tense, grumpy, and feel uncomfortable when they are under stress. This can be the cause of many workplace accidents, even in the most organized and productive of companies. Most of these accidents and mistakes are preventable if employees are aware of the causes of stress in their working environment and take steps to avoid them.

Stress,

• Results in serious depression

• Causes unsafe cultures that are more expensive, harmful to employees, and have the worst financial effects on a business

• Decreases the effectiveness of the firm

• Causes individuals to become aggressive, which may have an adverse effect on other employees

Many workplace accidents occur due to stress experienced by workers operating under extreme pressure. This is why workplace accidents are more common in industries such as transportation, military, manufacturing, and healthcare.

A prevalence rate of 2,480 per 100,000 workers was documented in the 822,000 cases of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety that occurred in 2020–21.

As mentioned, employees under continuous pressure may suffer from stress, a serious mental health condition. Organizations increasingly recognize the need to use structured approaches to reduce employee stress levels, as unmanaged stress can lead to health issues, unsafe behaviours, and workplace accidents. High-risk behaviours may include alcohol consumption, substance abuse, fatigue, and skipping breaks. Employers often find it challenging to integrate stress management practices into daily work routines without structured programs and awareness initiatives.

Working excessive overtime significantly contributes to elevated stress levels, especially when employees are expected to deliver higher-quality work within limited timelines. This increases both mental fatigue and error rates.

To reduce the risk of stress negatively affecting work performance, organizations must identify and address unhealthy work practices before they develop into serious stress-related disorders. Stress may arise from organizational demands, personal concerns, or social factors, and is often the result of a combination of these elements.

Organizational stressors commonly include tight deadlines, job pressure, fatigue, lack of sleep, and unrealistic expectations. These factors can directly impact employee health, morale, and safety.

Another dimension of stress originates from personal and interpersonal factors such as personality traits, emotional wellbeing, health issues, or conflicts within teams or personal relationships. While not always linked to job performance, these stressors can influence workplace behaviour and concentration.

Stress Management:

People experiencing stress often struggle to concentrate, leading to missed details that may cause workplace accidents. Many such incidents are preventable. Employees who feel overwhelmed should seek appropriate rest, medical advice, or leave if required. Maintaining physical activity, practicing relaxation techniques, and ensuring adequate rest are essential stress management strategies.

Effective stress management focuses on replacing unhealthy coping behaviours with positive ones. Organizations that promote supportive leadership, open communication, reasonable workloads, and employee wellbeing initiatives help reduce stress-related risks. Encouraging personal responsibility, self-care, and awareness is more effective than enforcement through fear or penalties.

Integrating stress control techniques into daily work routines allows employees to manage emotional, physical, and mental health challenges more effectively. Measures such as short breaks, workload planning, and access to wellbeing resources help employees remain focused and productive.

Workplace Safety and Stress Reduction  

Workplace safety plays a crucial role in preventing accidents and supporting employee wellbeing. A strong safety culture helps employees feel supported and confident in reporting issues that may affect their health, including stress-related concerns. Safety training programs should address both physical and psychological risks present in the workplace.

Creating a positive work environment requires clear expectations, reasonable workloads, and leadership commitment to employee wellbeing. Organizations that focus on prevention rather than punishment foster trust, reduce stress, and improve overall performance.

Establishing a healthy workplace culture involves educating employees on recognizing stress, responding to early warning signs, and accessing appropriate support systems. When employees feel safe reporting concerns without fear of reprisal, organizations can intervene early and prevent more serious outcomes.

Why NIST?  

NIST supports organizations in improving workplace health, safety, and wellbeing through structured training, advisory, and consulting services. Our programs help organizations identify workplace risks, promote healthy work practices, and build resilient safety cultures. By addressing both physical and psychosocial risks, NIST helps organizations reduce incidents, improve employee wellbeing, and strengthen overall safety performance. Happy Learning! Safe Change!