WELLNESS
Do you know your workplace hazards? Workplace hazards go far beyond the physical space. Recognize areas that can cause stress in team members so you can brainstorm solutions. It’s no surprise that mental health symptoms
increased during COVID, especially with an economic downturn, political and social conflict, and other stressors. But did you realize that there may be workplace hazards lurking in plain sight that cause you — and your direct reports, if you’re a manager — undue stress?
Job content • Monotonous, under-stimulating, meaningless tasks • Lack of variety • Unpleasant or aversive tasks • Workload and work pace • Having too much or too little to do • Working under time pressures Participation and control • Lack of participation in decision-making • Lack of control (such as over work methods, work pace, working hours and the work environment)
Role in the organization • Unclear role • Conflicting roles within the same job responsibility for people • Continuously dealing with other people and their problems
Organization culture • Poor communication • Poor leadership • Lack of clarity about organizational objectives a nd structure
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DISCLOSURES
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SUMMER 2021
Cathy Nugent, a licensed clinical professional counselor who conducted a VSCPA roundtable on stress hardiness last February, revealed these stressrelated workplace hazards. Want more resources like this? Visit vscpa.com/wellness. n
Working hours • Strict and inflexible working schedules • Long hours • Unpredictable working hours • Badly designed shift systems
Career development, status & pay • Job insecurity • Lack of promotion prospects • Under-promotion or over-promotion • Work of “low social value” • Piece-rate payment schemes • Unclear or unfair performance evaluation systems • Being over-skilled or under-skilled for the job Interpersonal relationships • Inadequate, inconsiderate or unsupportive supervision • Poor relationships with co-workers • Bullying, harassment and violence • Isolated or solitary work • No agreed procedures for dealing with problems or complaints Home-work interface • Conflicting demands of work and home • Lack of support for domestic problems at work • Lack of support for work problems at home
