Identifying Workplace Stress In Your Community

Stress is a natural and necessary part of living. It tells us when something is out of kilter. It motivates us to take action and to make needed adjustments. But too much stress can be harmful.

Any social environment where a person works, attends classes, or carries out their business is a place where the individuals strengths and weaknesses are expressed in daily social interaction. Its important to note that stress experienced on the job does not necessarily come from the job itself. Some stress is brought into the workplace from personal situations or from inner conflicts. The over-abundance of stress in todays world is due in large part to an ever-quickening pace of life. Continuous change, insecurity, confusion and internal conflict are recognized as modern living conditions throughout the world. Often, these conflicts naturally spill over into the workplace environment.

Theres no question that dysfunctional circumstances at a particular workplace will add to the burden of stress for everyone who works there. And places of employment pay for workplace stress problems through lowered effectiveness of workers, high turnovers and lost profits. But how can solvable problems be identified?

One way would be to carry out a community survey. Rather than fixing blame on the employer, this can be a positive means of communicating mental wellness concerns with local employers and to find solutions that result in greater business productivity and improved worker satisfaction.

Carrying out a job stress survey in your community

Suggested Steps:

• Recruit a task force of volunteers to assist you in creating a workplace stress questionnaire and conducting surveys. (Participants and survey respondents may find that just taking part in constructive action will act as a stress reducer.)

• Ask people from many places of employment within your community what they find most stressful about their jobs. The number of people canvassed should be large enough to produce a wide range of responses.

• Organize study groups to examine the results. What stressors are the most common?

• Identify miscellaneous stressors. Is there something that they have in common?

• Share the results of your research with the employers in your community. Network with them in examining ways in which the most common sources of stress can be reduced.

• Have patience. Don expect immediate results or instant improvements. Businesses will have at least as much trouble making changes in behavior as people do, but initial steps followed by persistent efforts can lead to long-term progress.