Do you feel stress when you are at work? You are not the only one; millions of Canadians experience it daily. Some reasons cause more stress than others. Here are the ones employees report the most, according to a survey.
• Read also: Three out of five Canadians will experience more stress at work in 2023
Having trouble separating your personal life from your professional life is a major source of stress, according to a survey conducted by global recruiting firm Robert Walters last June. People who work from home would be particularly affected.
Too much work and lack of stability are other reasons that were named by thousands of survey participants.
“It’s not really surprising considering the media coverage of the turmoil in the economy and the massive layoffs at big corporations,” Martin Fox, managing director of Robert Walters’ Canadian branch, told CTV. News.
Since the beginning of the year, many companies have had to lay off employees, ranging from Meta to Bell Canada. Quebecor also had to eliminate positions within its company in mid-February.
“Feeling underpaid is another source of demotivation,” Mr. Fox pointed out. “Inflation and the high cost of living have employees questioning their salaries.”
How to reduce stress at work
According to Mr. Fox, it is essential that employers and employees explore effective coping strategies to manage stress in the workplace.
If this stress is not managed properly, it can lead to increased employee burnout, lack of motivation and lower levels of productivity.
The director recommends that companies try to foster an open and positive environment, where employees feel safe to voice their concerns. Managers should also receive more training to lead with empathy and communicate with staff who are going through a difficult time at work.
For employees, Fox said they shouldn’t be afraid to ask colleagues for help or advice. He also suggested implementing a better work-life balance by “going completely offline” outside of working hours.