Editorial

A recent study showed that one in four European workers complains of work-related stress. This, of course, has a significant impact on employers, employees and the government because stress and stress-related disease and injury account for over half of sick leave, with work-related stress being similar in its effects to low chronic back pain.

Work-related stress can be the result of a variety of causes, such as excessive job demands, direct or indirect conflict with co-workers or bosses, harassment or discrimination, frequent changes within the workplace to the routine or to the modus operandi of the job itself, lack of autonomy/excessive supervision, boring work, threats to job security, a poor working environment, shortage of proper resources or equipment, few promotional opportunities, crisis incidents, such as an armed hold-up or workplace death, etc. Some of the symptoms of work-related stress may include depression, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to cope, a drop in performance, an increase in sick days or absenteeism from work, sleep difficulties (particularly insomnia), cognitive problems such as a reduced ability to concentrate or make decisions, fatigue, headaches, palpitations, heartburn, constipation or diarrhoea and excessive edginess and aggression.

Many of these bodily changes are mediated acutely by the release of adrenaline, the hormone that controls fight or flight reactions. More chronic bodily changes are caused by the persistent production of the stress hormone cortisol. Possible consequences of work-related stress include an increased susceptibility to workplace accidents, a deterioration of one's personal relationships and ill-health, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease with hypertension, diabetes, stroke and myocardial infarction or heart attack.

Individuals suffering from work-related stress can help themselves in a number of ways, including planning and implementing changes, alone and with the help of others at the workplace, of the way in which one works. If possible, problems should be aired with the employer or human resources manager.

Self organisation is crucial and one should prioritise lists of tasks, with more difficult tasks undertaken when one is fresh, such as the first thing in the morning.

A healthy diet and exercise are always beneficial, possibly along with meditation or yoga. One should also have sufficient free time for leisure activities and stressing friends, colleagues and relatives with an endless litany of problems at work should be avoided! Drugs, alcohol and tobacco simply will not alleviate stress and can cause additional health problems. Professional counselling by a psychologist may also be helpful but, ultimately, if nothing helps, one should seek an alternative job or career, possibly with the advice of a career counsellor or psychologist.

Employers should ensure a safe, clean and pleasant working environment, where all workers are adequately trained for their jobs. They should also openly talk about issues that may be stressful to workers. Human nature being what it is, one cannot just ignore the personal lives of employees; the demands of home will sometimes clash with the requisites of work.

Workers and bosses must work together not only to boost productivity and competitiveness but also to ease undue stress as much as possible. The two go together like keyboard and monitor.