The stress It is a condition that many workers find themselves in for various reasons, and which can lead to serious mental health problems. If it is not detected and addressed in time, the situation can become so serious that the worker may have to take sick leave due to work-related stress.
In this post, we want to talk to you about the pressure at work that we all experience, to a greater or lesser extent, during our working day or even outside of it. Is it really beneficial for the company to have an employee who is constantly under pressure? To what extent is it a good thing for one person to shoulder all the responsibility? What causes us to develop burnout? Stay with us and find out the answers to these and other fascinating questions!
Why do we feel stressed at work?
In every era, the working environment has been shaped by specific characteristics resulting from technological developments, consumer habits, market demand, science and everything else that might affect an organisation’s pace of work and production. Just a few decades ago, ICT did not exist and large volumes of information did not play such a prominent role in the workplace. However, today, everything is much more globalised and every day we deal with a multitude of data and new stimuli that we have to process and organise in our minds in order to carry on. When the amount of information we receive is not only overwhelming, but we are also obliged to put it into practice It is when you have to take on the responsibilities that this entails that work-related stress can arise.
However, not all types of stress are negative, as stress itself is a ‘hormonal signal’ that mobilises us in situations that require it, such as, for example, a deadline a close friend or a crisis. In fact, too little stress is directly linked to a lack of motivation, complacency and disinterest.
Work-related stress is now considered a pandemic by the WHO
In the wake of the pandemic, levels of work-related stress rose significantly across Europe, putting seven out of ten workers at risk of suffering from depression or anxiety. Focusing on Spain, according to a report by the ADP Research Institute, 66% of workers experience stress at work at least once a week, and 41% attribute this to having to take on more responsibilities in the wake of Covid. But that’s not all; there are many other reasons why we feel more overwhelmed in our jobs. We’ve listed them below.
Excessive workload
Work overload, tight deadlines and the pressure to meet high work demands These are common causes of stress at work.
Unhealthy working environment
Conflicts with colleagues or line managers, a lack of support, strained working relationships or an uncooperative working environment can contribute significantly to stress.
Job insecurity
Uncertainty about employment, constant changes in working conditions, job insecurity or a lack of job stability can cause anxiety and stress.
Work-life imbalance
The difficulty of balancing work and personal life, long working hours, a lack of time to activities Personal or family issues can cause stress for employees.
Lack of recognition and reward
A lack of recognition for the work carried out, the absence of incentives or rewards, and the perception of a lack of appreciation can all be sources of stress.
Technology and constant connectivity
The pressure to be constantly connected, excessive digital communication outside working hours and the difficulty in switching off can all contribute to work-related stress.
What are the potential consequences of suffering from work-related stress?
Work-related stress is not a new phenomenon, but its prevalence and intensity have increased in recent years due to changes in the labour market, the economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and digital transformation.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (INSST), work-related stress affects 59 % of Spanish workers, making it the second most common health problem after musculoskeletal disorders.
Of course, we must not forget the mental health issues that can be triggered, such as anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion or other more serious and long-term indirect problems. Undoubtedly, all of this will be reflected in the performance and productivity of the worker affected, as well as in the quality of their personal life.
Before taking sick leave due to work-related stress, try to manage it using these strategies
Although work-related stress can be harmful to our health and performance, there are various strategies we can put into practice to manage it effectively.
- Improve your organisation: Getting organised is the first step towards achieving optimal performance in the workplace and preventing work-related stress34. This involves taking a holistic view of the tasks to be carried out and of how our workspace should be organised.
- Set reasonable goals: We must ensure that the goals we set ourselves are reasonable and achievable, so that we do not become frustrated if we are unable to achieve them within the set timeframe.
- Learn to delegate: Knowing how to work as a team, maintaining an assertive attitude and learning to delegate are key to ensuring we don’t feel overwhelmed by an endless to-do list. Sometimes, team leaders or colleagues themselves aren’t aware of all the work we get through day in, day out, so there’s no better way to redistribute the workload than to have a frank and calm conversation to explore alternatives.
- Take exercise, watch what you eat and make time for yourself: There are various strategies for preventing or minimising work-related stress, including changes to our habits, such as taking exercise and eating healthily. Finding time during the week to do activities we enjoy and which help us switch off also has very positive results.
When can you apply for sick leave due to work-related stress?
If these tips do not help to reduce your stress levels, you should apply for sick leave due to work-related stress. In Spain, an application for sick leave due to work-related stress can be made when an employee is temporarily unfit for work due to mental health problems caused by work-related stress. To apply for this sick leave, it is important to bear the following in mind:
Medical diagnosis: The employee must be assessed by a doctor, usually a primary care practitioner or a psychologist/psychiatrist, who will determine whether work-related stress has had a significant impact on the individual’s mental health and whether time off work is necessary.
Medical prescription: The doctor will issue a medical certificate stating the need for sick leave due to work-related stress, setting out the estimated period required for rest and recovery.
Dealing with the Social Security: Once the medical report has been obtained, the employee must submit it to Social Security, which will assess the situation and, if the requirements are met, grant temporary sick leave on the grounds of work-related stress.
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