Are you having difficulty concentrating at work? Exhausted because you can’t sleep? Feel like you are close to tears all the time? We all have bad days at work, that’s just part and parcel of the grind, right? But what if workplace stress is driving you nuts and you want to quit? And what if we told you, that you are not alone in feeling this way.
In fact, in a recent poll by Monster in India, nearly one-third (32%) of respondents indicated that they have left or have thought of leaving their jobs. While the remaining two thirds (68%) indicated that they either stayed on despite the stress in their current roles or were the lucky few who managed to keep it at bay.
What constitutes a stressful job?
If you are thinking, yes, my job is extremely taxing, but I have no choice. Think again. Trying to survive at your job does not shield you from the inevitable strain that may affect your mental health. As a matter of fact, even soul-satisfying, and meaningful jobs can be toxic and put you at risk of mental illness.
A study published in Lancet Psychiatry attributes one out of seven cases of depression and anxiety to job stress, highlighting the need for proper medical attention.
Empty desk phenomenon
Stressed employees do not perform to their potential and resort to unproductive methods like taking long breaks, working overtime, or avoiding extra work to fill the void. A worn-out employee might be physically present in office but may not be actively engaged with work.
Perhaps the most interesting piece of data the poll threw up is that just over 30% of the respondents said they quit or wanted to quit because of stress. This finding should sound an alarm for HR departments and employers to provide employees with the necessary tools to handle stress better.
What’s the solution?
Working styles are changing worldwide – devices and connectivity have blurred the lines between work and personal life. The millennial generation is set to constitute much of the workforce by 2030, and tight budgets all around are forcing employees to do much more with little to no help. In this scenario, employers who provide their employees with the required support to build resilience and mindfulness, to beat stress are one step ahead of the rest. This is the foundation for creating a more engaged and productive workforce, one that not only benefits the employers and the organization but the employees too.
Does your job meet these requirements? If not, then it is time to find a better job, faster, here.
