Stress

Introduction:

Stress...

The subject that I am going to be focusing on is stress. I am choosing this topic because it is a subject that everyone is fully aware of and the residual consequences. It is something that everyone goes through in some stage of their life. Stress interests me because it is all around us and can be quite dangerous to our health and I would like to know more about it. As a student I of course suffer from stress from assignment deadlines to exams and I would like to know the sources and causes of stress.

As a student studying police and security I am going to be basing this assignment on security guards and the level of stress they can or do go through each day at work. Every job can be different in levels of stress and we all need to do our best in reducing them.

Stress can be an issue in any employment sector. Longer hours and new roles can strain the best of us, but when you introduce constantly changing technology and job insecurity as well, many people reach breaking point.

The most commonly reported causes of occupational stress:

• Inadequate time to complete the job properly

• No clear job description or chain of command

• No recognition or reward for doing well

• No way to voice complaints

• Too much responsibility with too little authority

• Un co-operative fellow workers

• Job insecurity

• Prejudice in the workplace

• Unpleasant or hazardous working conditions

• No opportunity to use personal talent and ability effectively

I believe everyone at least once goes through stress in their life and it affects people in very different ways and we must learn to deal with it in the best way possible and not let it get the better of us.

Some stress related health problems include:

• high blood pressure

• heart disease

• stroke

• cancer

• depression

• obesity

• diabetes

• abusive behaviour

• memory loss

Causes:

Excessively high workloads, with unrealistic deadlines making people feel rushed, under pressure and overwhelmed.

Insufficient workloads, making people feel that their skills are being under used.

A lack of control over work activities.

A lack of interpersonal support or poor working relationships leading to a sense of isolation.

People being asked to do a job for which they have insufficient experience or training.

Difficulty settling into a new promotion, both in terms of meeting the new role's requirements and adapting to possible changes in relationships with colleagues.

Concerns about job security, lack of career opportunities, or level of pay.

Bullying or harassment.

A blame culture within your business where people are afraid to get things wrong or to admit to making mistakes.

Weak or ineffective management which leaves employees feeling they don't have a sense of direction, or over-management, which can leave employees feeling undervalued and affect their self-esteem.

Multiple reporting lines for employees, with each manager asking for their work to be prioritised.

Failure to keep employees informed about significant changes to the business, causing them uncertainty about their future.

A poor physical working environment, e.g. excessive heat, cold or noise, inadequate lighting, uncomfortable seating, malfunctioning equipment.

Physical and Psychological:

Stress affects us both physically and psychologically.