It is recognised that individuals have different strengths and weaknesses and differing abilities to cope with pressure. These differing responses can make it difficult to determine an individual's susceptibility to work-related stress. Common psychological, physical and behavioural signs of stress include poor concentration, irritability, headaches, insomnia and increased sickness absence.
Recognising the signs of stress in yourself and others
What to look for in yourself:
|
Physical signs |
Emotional signs |
Mental signs |
Behavioural signs |
|
Headaches |
Irritability |
Inability to concentrate |
Unsociability |
What to look for in others:
|
Work Performance |
Emotional Behaviour |
Withdrawal |
Relationships |
|
Inability to concentrate |
Crying |
Reluctance to give or offer support |
Criticism of others |
Longer-term health problems such as:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- ulcers
- thyroid disorders
- gastrointestinal disturbances
- psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression
Stress can also have detrimental consequences for your colleagues and the University. it can lead to:
- an increase in sickness absence, which can result in workloads being shared amongst the other staff in your team and possibly causing them stress too;
- reduced staff morale;
- reduced staff performance;
- staff seeking alternative employment, giving the University the expense of recruiting, inducting and training replacement staff