All working professionals can relate to stress in the workplace. It is extremely nerve-wracking to live up to the increasing work pressures and cope-up with the daily targets at work. Work Related Stress Disorder (WRSD) occurs when this increased work demands and pressures cannot be matched by an employee's knowledge/skill sets and their ability to cope.

No knowledge is complete, without knowing the root cause. So, let's understand what the causes of WRSD are-

There is little/no control over workplace activities-

Employers should give some amount of flexibility for an employee to achieve the daily targets. Employees can be allowed to customize their workstations. This will result in employees having their personal space even in office and have a healthy and a less stressful work environment.

Lack of job security-

Uncertainty about the job or work profile leads to lack of job security. Eventually this leads to attrition in an organization.

Lack of acknowledgment and appreciation-

Employees get stressed when they feel that their efforts are not appreciated or acknowledged.

Office Politics-

In any organization be it big or small, there is always this cliché of "office politics". In the age of competition, some selfish employees indulge in desperate measures for achieving success by hook or crook even if it against ethics and integrity. This impacts an employee who is sincere and hardworking in a big way.

Long Working Hours-

The constant race against time for meeting deadlines means that an employee overworks. Such long working hours at work often lead to stress.

Unfairness-

Employees are not happy when they sense unfairness at work.

Work Related Stress Disorder can affect an employee physically, behaviorally and emotionally. Let's get to know the symptoms or signs of stress at work.

So how will you know if you suffer from WSRD? There are some common physical symptoms that should alarm you-

• Headaches
• Fatigue/tiredness/low energy
• Weight gain/weight loss
• Breathlessness
• Muscle twitching/muscle stiffness
• Insomnia

WRSD affects a person's mind too. When an employee is affected behaviorally, he/she will exhibit the following symptoms-

• Negativity
• Worrying
• Nightmares
• Indecisiveness/ Hasty decision making
• Impaired - judgement
• Hasty decisions
• Confusion

When an employee feels that nothing is going right in office, it reflects on the employee's emotions. Following are the symptoms to know if an employee is affected emotionally-

• Depression
• Loss of confidence
• Anger
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Lack of interest
• Anxiety
• Detachment

When an employee is suffering from WSRD, his/her behavior will reflect it. The person affected from WRSD can show the following behavioral traits-

• Loss of appetite
• Restlessness
• Clumsiness
• Inclination to addictions like smoking and drinking
• Loss of sex drive

In India, almost 46% of the workforce suffers from this condition. Hence, employees need to have an awareness of how to overcome stress at work. An employer could engage or promote workshops for their employees on the how to deal with work stress or stress management.

An employer should always keep in mind that if their employees are happy and healthy, can work to the best of their abilities. This will result in increased productivity and happy customers. Eventually, if the customers are happy it will result in more business from the customers.

To know your employee's complete health and wellness status, you can opt for corporate health check designed and facilitated by COWIN, the Workforce  check specialist, fill the query form and our corporate team will get back to you ASAP.