March 5, 2024

Stella from LifeWORTH Medicare Limited explains that stress does not only come from heavy workloads, tight deadlines and difficult colleagues but can also come from lack of support from management (your boss and his/her boss). She went on to say that it is not uncommon that unchecked stress levels can lead to physical health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease. LifeWORTH Medicare Limited AKA LifeWORTH HMO Nigeria’s foremost, proactive and trustworthy HMO since 2014, have determined that the impact on job performance, leading to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and poor decision-making can be linked to a stressed employee, “so sometimes what you need is not to extend your working hours, you just need to breathe“ Have you ever had a boss who expects you to read his/her mind and know what they want you to do and how they want you to do it? that is a very toxic work environment, you need extra stress management routines to survive with such a boss. I worked with a boss sometime ago in a remote setting who constantly accused me of not doing anything and on several occasions I requested to schedule a meeting so that we can have proper conversation and I know what he expects, sometimes he would not show up for the meeting because he is busy and then other times he will say I should not schedule a meeting because he did not want to be micromanaging me (he said I was like a ghost worker) even though I know I wasn’t because I had a pile of deliverables that I was working on. Dear Bosses, please note that much more than running the business you would need to get some people skills. Dear employee, if you choose to continue working there because really, there are not a lot of jobs out there, you might just need to learn to manage your manager (please note that you cannot sack your boss but you can learn to work with him/her). Here are some common management flaws that can stress employees: ICS Outsourcing have shared some insights on how employees react to stress at work. ⦁ Fight or Flight Response: When faced with high levels of stress, the brain releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can trigger the body’s fight or flight response. This can lead to increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and heightened levels of anxiety, preparing the body to confront or escape the perceived threat. ⦁ Cognitive Symptoms: Stress in the workplace can negatively affect cognitive function. It can impair memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities, making it difficult to focus on tasks and perform at an optimal level. This can result in decreased productivity and overall job satisfaction. ⦁ Impact on Performance: Stress can impact job performance by reducing productivity, likelihood of errors, diminishing creativity and problem-solving abilities. It could also lead to disengagement, lack of interest, and decreased motivation. ⦁ Emotional Responses: Stress can lead to a range of emotional responses including irritability, anger, sadness, and feeling overwhelmed. Some may experience mood swings, prone to conflicts and less able to communicate effectively. These emotions can also affect interpersonal relationships with colleagues and clients. ⦁ Mental Health Concerns: And when stress is prolonged, it can also have long-term consequences on mental health. It can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout. It can also contribute to physical health issues such as heart disease, obesity, and weakened immune system. “We do not hire professionals so we can tell them what to do, we hire them so they can tell us to do” – Steve Jobs