Our workplace or the work environment is one of the most common causes of anxiety. At work, you encounter obstacles, problems, and petty issues with co-workers. However, the feeling of anxiety can be helpful sometimes at work.

For example, when you are pressed with a deadline on a certain project assigned by your boss, and you are nearing the cut-off date, you start to cram and the mind doubles the effort to think fast.It manifests a call to action to complete the task. But more often than not, people fail to manage that feeling of anxiousness and so the feeling goes beyond normal. Workplace anxiety results to loss of motivation and a decrease in the productivity of the employees especially if it is improperly handled.

Factors Causing Work Anxiety in the Workplace

There are a wide range of factors that cause anxiety in the work environment. These factors can be categorized into different classifications. An employee should be aware what causes the feeling of worry and loss of motivation at work so that appropriate measures can be done once these factors are identified.

• Nature of the Job and the Work Environment

These factors are unique to the scope of work or the job description of the employee. A worker may develop anxiety if the workload assignment is either too heavy or too light for the person to take. When the system in the office follows an autonomous approach, having to decide on your own about work decisions without the supervisor to assist can also create anxiety.The work hours required for an employee to complete is a factor as well. The longer working hours that is required, the more stressed a person becomes. An employee’s location in the office is another reason. If the person is situated in an isolated area, he will find it hard to socialize.

• Organizational Roles

One example for this factor may be role conflict in the organization such as multiple bosses and conflicting job demands. Having more than one supervisor means having multiple tasks, too. Another one would be role ambiguity or not clear delegation of work and not setting proper work expectations.

• Career Development

Job demotion and under-promotion worries an employee so much. Lack of opportunities for career development decreases motivation. Possibilities of lay-off and getting fired due to company shutdown makes a worker feel hopeless. Poor performance evaluation also causes anxiety to develop. Lastly, employees do not take so much interest in the job if there is no proper compensation and performance recognition.

• Relationships with Co-workers

Issues with socialization among employees become a common problem in the workplace. A worker may have a hard time dealing with a difficult boss or even difficult co-workers. Reciprocally, a supervisor may find it challenging to handle difficult subordinates or members. Other possible reasons about work relationship that cause anxiety are office threats, harassment, and bullying.

Tips For Managers / Employers

If you are an employer or part of the higher management, you should maintain professionalism in dealing with difficult and challenging employees because if you loose composure, you get stressed as well.Make sure that they are aptly compensated and their work efforts are recognized so you will not handle problematic workers in your company due to loss of work interest.Allow time for mingling with them or conduct a healthy open forum so both parties can express themselves. The goal is to keep the employees motivated and make them productive at work.

Tips For Employees

Employees who are experiencing work anxiety should consider their personal decision about staying in the job or not. If the situation becomes unbearable, it is better to find a new work environment for a change. But while it can be still be managed, that would be a lot better.A simple step as identifying your strong and weak points will be a good start. Be logical in decision-making and trust your instincts. If there is a need for assistance, do not hesitate to approach your colleagues. If problems or work issues arise, talk it out with your superior. That way, you will be given options and alternatives for a solution.