Anxiety and

Job Stress
Introduction
The concept of anxiety and stress is nonetheless very much the same. However,
anxiety is a result of stress. One factor or reason that triggers an individual to be
anxious is due to stress. It is normal to feel anxious but the problem starts when
you fail to overcome the feeling and allow it to grow instead.
 Anxiety is a psychological and
physiological state characterized by
cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
components. These components combine
to create an unpleasant feeling that is
typically associated with uneasiness,
fear, or worry.
“Stress is a dynamic condition in which
an individual is confronted with an
opportunity, constraints or demand to
what he or she desires and for which
the outcome is perceived to be
uncertain and important.”
Nature of stress
 Eustress and dystress
 Stress is addictive

 Does not necessarily flows from

stressor.
Stress
Specific work factors
 Excessive workload.
 Tedious or meaningless tasks.
 Long hours and low pay.
 Infrequent rest breaks.
 Unreasonable performance demands
Physical environment
 Noise and overcrowding.
 Poor air quality.
 Ergonomic problems.
 Health and safety risks (heavy equipment, toxic
chemicals).
Organizational practices
 Unclear responsibilities or expectations.
 Conflicting job demands.
 Multiple supervisors.
 Lack of autonomy or participation in decision-
making.
 Inefficient communication patterns.
 Lack of family-friendly policies

Career Development
 Over Promotion.
 Under Promotion
 Lack of Job Security
 Thwarted ambition
Workplace change
 Fear of layoff.
 Frequent personnel turnover.
 Lack of preparation for technological changes.
 Poor chances for advancement or promotion.
 Tensions brought about by greater workplace diversity.

Interpersonal Relationships
 Distant, uncommunicative supervisors.
 Poor performance from subordinates.
 Office politics, competition, and other conflicts among
staff.
 Bullying or harassment.
 Problems caused by excessive time away from family.
Individual – Related
Stressors.
Individual Characteristics
 Personality traits
 Demographic characteristics
 Coping skills.

Individual life circumstances

 Work/life conflict
 Family problems
 Personal problems
 Social problems
 Financial difficulties
Signs and Symptoms of
stress
Intellectual Symptoms (How stress can affect the Mind)
 Memory problems.

 Difficulty making decisions.

 Inability to concentrate.

 Confusion.

 Seeing only the negative.

 Repetitive or racing thoughts. 

 Poor judgment.

 Loss of objectivity.

 Desire to escape or run away

Emotional Symptoms :( How stress can make us
feel)
 Moody and hypersensitive.

 Restlessness and anxiety.

 Depression.

 Anger and resentment.

 Easily irritated and “on edge”.

 Sense of being overwhelmed.

 Lack of confidence.
Physical Symptoms: (How stress can affect the Body)
 Headaches.

 Digestive problems.

 Muscle tension and pain.

 Sleep disturbances.

 Fatigue.

 Chest pain, irregular heartbeat.

 High blood pressure.

 Weight gain or loss.

 Asthma or shortness of breath.

 Skin problems.
Behavioral Symptoms: (How stress can affect the
Behavior)

 Eating disorder.
 Sleeping too much or too little.
 Isolating self from others.
 Neglecting the responsibilities.
 Increasing alcohol and drug use.
 Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).
 Teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
 Overdoing activities such as exercising or
shopping.
 Losing the temper.
 Overreacting to unexpected problems.
Consequences of job stress
1.Individual level .
2.Organizational level.
On the individual level
1.Unwanted Feelings and Behaviors
2.Physiological Diseases (Poor Physical Health)
3. Psychological Diseases (Poor Emotional (Mental)
Health)
On the Organization level
Consequences of Occupational or Job Stress
can be Grouped into two Major subgroups.
1 . Organizational factors
2 . Organizational Costs
1.Organizational factors -
1.Such as discontent and poor morale among the
workforce.
2.Performance/productivity losses, low quality
products and services.
3.Poorer relationships with clients, images and
reputation, missed opportunities.
4.Disruption to production, high accident and
mistakes rates, high labor turnover.
5.Loss of valuable staff, increase sick-leave,
permanent vacancies, premature retirement.
6.Diminished cooperation, poor internal
communications, more internal conflicts, and
dysfunctional workplace climate.
2.Organizational Costs -
1.Such as cost of reduced performance,
productivity (lack of added value to product
and /or service).
2.High replacement costs in connection with
labor turnover (increase in recruitment,
training and retraining costs).
3.Increases sick pay, increased health-care
costs and disability payments.
4.Higher grievance and litigation/compensation
costs, and costs of equipment damage.
 Strategies of stress
management
At organizational level

 Stress reduction Programmes

 Job redesign

 Collateral programms

 Counseling
 At individual levels

 Relaxation
 Time management
 Management of self role
 Support Group
 Meditation
How to Change the
Organization to Prevent Job
Stress
1. Ensure that the workload is in line with workers'
capabilities and resources.
2. Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and
opportunities for workers to use their skills.
3. Clearly define workers' roles and responsibilities.
4. Give workers opportunities to participate in
decisions and actions affecting their jobs.
5. Improve communications-reduce uncertainty
about career development and future employment
prospects
6. Establish work schedules that are compatible with
demands and responsibilities outside the job.
THANK YOU