Unraveling the Impact of Stress in the Modern Workplace
Introduction
In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an inevitable part of our daily lives. Rooted in our primitive fight-or-flight response, stress was initially designed to keep us safe from immediate danger. However, as our lifestyles have evolved, so have the triggers for stress, leading to its pervasiveness in the modern workplace. In this article, we will explore the concept of stress, its controversial association with productivity, and the negative effects of prolonged stress on individual health. Additionally, we'll delve into the causes of workplace stress, particularly those that stem from organisational culture. Let's embark on a journey to understand stress and its impact on our work and well-being.
Understanding Stress
Stress is a natural physical response to threatening situations, activating the primal parts of our brain. It triggers physiological changes such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, muscle tension, and sweating. This response served our ancestors well when faced with life-or-death situations, such as encountering predators. However, in our modern office settings, stressors like work-related pressures can trigger the same response. The problem arises when these triggers become too frequent, leaving our bodies in a constant state of high alert.
The Controversial Myth of Stress and Productivity
You’ve probably seen a graph like the one above before. They’re very common in management and motivation workshops. The concept behind it is that we need a bit of pressure, or stress, in order to get us going and that as pressure increases there’s a level at which we’ll operate at optimal efficiency, before being so overstressed that we can’t do anything.
This is known as the Yerkes and Dodson Law (YDL). It originates from a paper by the two scientists in 1908, in which they performed experiments on mice to see how their task performance was influenced by electric shocks of increasing power. The results weren’t exactly conclusive. However, in the more than one-hundred years since then a series of assumptions were made, the theory was upgraded to a ‘law’, and transferred from electrocuted mice (and kittens!) to stressed-out humans.
Unfortunately it seems that nearly every step of the way went against actual evidence that indicated an increase in ‘stress’ only leads to a decrease in performance for humans. This has been compounded by an expansion of very vague terms and its mix into popular folklore. After all, who isn’t more efficient when working towards a close deadline?
There may be some useful common-sense truths behind the curve, but the real danger is that by perpetuating the theory without critical reflection we risk doing actual harm. For example, it can be used by managers as validation that they must exert some pressure on their team, to cause enough stress that they reach an optimal performance level. In comparison, current evidence suggests that more supportive and transformational management styles can both reduce stress and improve performance (e.g. this paper by Sosik and Godshalk, 2000, or this one by Lyons Schneider, 2009, or this by Rowold and Schlotz, 2008).
For more information, I highly recommend this paper by Corbett, 2015. Most of the facts from this little section are based on his paper, it's well worth a read - especially as a reminder of human fallibility and the importance of questioning established practices.
The Negative Effects of Too Much Stress
The consequences of prolonged stress on our health are alarming. Workplace stress has been linked to severe health issues such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome which covers the combination of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Additionally, excessive stress can lead to alcohol dependence, which leads to a whole host of long-term dangers. Clearly, the toll of stress extends far beyond our mental well-being, making it a matter of utmost concern for individuals and organisations alike.
Causes of Workplace Stress Due to Culture
The workplace environment significantly contributes to stress levels among employees. The Health and Safety Executive identifies six main areas that influence workplace stress:
Demands: Work nature, skill-matching, workload, work patterns, and environmental factors.
Control: The level of autonomy and decision-making authority employees possess over their work.
Support: The encouragement, resources, and support employees receive to perform their duties effectively.
Relationships: The quality of communication, behavior, and interactions among individuals in the workplace.
Role: The clarity of employees' understanding of their responsibilities and place within the organisation.
Change: How organisational changes are managed and communicated to employees.
Culture plays a pivotal role in many of these areas. Workload, timings, breaks, and the working environment are all influenced by organizational culture. The management style and culture directly impact the level of control and support employees experience. Effective communication, relationships, and role clarity are integral to a healthy workplace culture. Additionally, how an organization handles and communicates changes also reflects its cultural values.
Conclusion
Stress is a prevailing challenge in modern workplaces, affecting both individual well-being and organisational performance. While the stress-performance curve may be a myth, the detrimental effects of excessive stress are real. Organisations must recognise the significance of a positive workplace culture in mitigating stress and promoting employee well-being. By addressing the causes of stress rooted in culture and adopting supportive management practices, businesses can foster a healthier work environment that empowers employees to thrive. Embracing a culture of well-being and acknowledging the impact of stress is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for long-term success.