The stress is a state that many workers experience for different reasons and that can cause serious mental health problems. If it is not detected and addressed in time, this situation can worsen to the point of having to request sick leave due to work-related stress.
In this post, we want to talk about the pressure at work that we all, to a greater or lesser extent, endure during our working day or even outside of it. Is it really beneficial for the company to have an employee under constant tension? To what extent is it good for one person to be the sole recipient of responsibilities? What leads us to develop burnout syndrome? Stay with us and find the answers to these and other very interesting questions!
In every era, the work environment has been marked by certain characteristics resulting from technological evolution, consumer habits, market demand, science, and everything else that can affect the pace of work and production within an organization. Just a few decades ago, ICTs did not exist, and large volumes of information did not play such a prominent role in the workplace. However, today everything is much more globalized, and we deal daily with a multitude of data and new stimuli that we must internalize and organize in our minds to move forward. When the amount of information we receive is not only overwhelming but we are also required to apply it and take on the responsibilities it entails, work-related stress can appear.
However, not all stress is negative, since stress itself is a “hormonal alert” that activates us in situations that require it, such as a close deadline or a crisis. In fact, a level of stress that is too low is directly related to demotivation, complacency, and lack of interest.
After the pandemic, levels of work-related stress in Europe increased significantly, putting seven out of ten workers at risk of suffering from depression or anxiety. In 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 it to having to take on more responsibilities after COVID. But that’s not all — there are many other reasons why we feel more overwhelmed at our workplace, which we mention below.
Work overload, tight deadlines, and pressure to meet high work demands are common causes of stress at work.
Conflicts with colleagues or superiors, lack of support, tense work relationships, or an uncooperative work atmosphere can significantly contribute to stress.
Uncertainty about employment, constant changes in working conditions, job precariousness, or lack of stability can generate anxiety and stress.
The difficulty of balancing work and personal life, long working hours, and the lack of time for personal or family activities can cause stress in employees.
The lack of recognition for work done, the absence of incentives or rewards, as well as the perception of being undervalued, can be sources of stress.
The pressure to always be connected, the excess of digital communication outside working hours, and the difficulty of disconnecting can also contribute to work-related stress.
Work-related stress is not a new phenomenon, but its incidence and intensity have increased in recent years due to changes in the labor 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, being the second most frequent health problem after musculoskeletal disorders.
Of course, we must also not forget the mental health disorders that can develop, such as anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, or other indirect and more serious long-term problems. Undoubtedly, all of this will be reflected in the performance and productivity of the affected worker, as well as in their quality of personal life.
Although work-related stress can be harmful to our health and performance, there are several strategies we can implement to manage it effectively.
If these tips do not lower your stress levels, you should request sick leave due to work-related stress. In Spain, requesting sick leave for work-related stress can be done when a worker is in a situation of temporary incapacity due to mental health problems caused by stress related to work. To request this leave, it is important to consider the following:
Medical diagnosis: the worker must be evaluated by a doctor, usually a primary care physician or a psychologist/psychiatrist, who will determine whether work-related stress has caused significant harm to the individual’s mental health and whether rest from work is necessary.
Medical prescription: the doctor will issue a medical report indicating the need for sick leave due to work-related stress, establishing the estimated period for rest and recovery.
Procedure with Social Security: once the medical report is obtained, the worker must submit it to Social Security, which will evaluate the situation and, if the requirements are met, grant temporary incapacity leave due to work-related stress.
We hope you found this post useful. Keep learning more about HR, professional development, and business management with Educa.Pro!
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