Workplace Anxiety – What are the Main Causes?

Anxiety disorders are incredibly common. For many people, anxiety has developed as a result of their relationship with their workplace. From toxic work environments or having to perform stressful tasks, there are many anxiety-inducing factors that can raise heart rates and cause sweaty palms in every workplace. Overcoming this anxiety can be difficult as generally you need to work to sustain your livelihood, but it is not impossible. To start with, you need to understand what triggers your anxiety. So what are the most common causes of anxiety as reported by Australian employees? 

Speaking in Public

This is one of the most common causes of workplace angst. Unfortunately, many professionals must face this fear constantly when called upon to make presentations and speeches, run meetings, speak on conference, share their opinions and offer solutions. This also stems into speaking during meetings. Many people feel embarrassed to express their opinions or be singled out in front of colleagues. They may worry about seeming nervous or panic that they will appear incompetent.

Workplace Bullying

A traumatic experience for those targeted, bullying causes great distress and pain and can impact almost every aspect of victim’s life leaving them feeling lonely, isolated, depressed and anxious. Whether it’s bullying from a manager or co-worker, the effects can also linger long after the victim has moved on. Bullying can have devastating consequences and unfortunately, it is common in many workplaces costing business billions of dollars every year in bullying-related absence, staff turnover and loss of productivity.

Workload and Job Expectations

These days with staff and budget cuts many employees are often expected to perform more tasks than originally required. This increased workload is a big cause of mental health issues in the workplace. Other relating causes of anxiety also cited include meeting deadlines, managing people and managing clients. An unmanageable and increased workload can leave employees flustered. How tasks are assigned and carried out is also a big contributor to workplace anxiety. This includes infrequent breaks, long hours and shifts, unnecessary tasks, lack of training, and more. When job expectations are uncertain or conflicting, employees feel they have too much responsibility and too feel overwhelmed and anxious.

Management style

Another factor in stressful work situations is management style. When a workplace has poor communication from senior management and employees are not included in decision-making processes, workers don’t feel supported by their co-workers and employers. A lack of support from immediate supervisors or fear of being seen as incompetent in the eyes of senior figures is also a big contributor.

Traumatic events

It’s a reality that some jobs are more dangerous than others. Many criminal justice professionals, firefighters, first responders and military personnel experience stressful situations and personal risk on a daily basis leading fear and anxiety in the workplace. Armed hold-ups or the death of a co-worker can also trigger anxiety in many employees.

Career and Money Concerns

Concerns such as lack of job security or advancement opportunities are also a leading cause of mental health issues. Combined with many workers believing their salaries are lower than they should be it’s also not surprising that many employees are anxious about finances. With rising house prices and living costs, feeling low or anxious is a normal response to struggling with debt.

It’s normal to have fear or anxiety at work sometimes but it becomes a problem when the anxiety controls you. Don’t struggle with workplace anxiety, seek help. The expert psychologists at Psylegal are very experienced in providing effective anxiety management solutions tailored to your needs. If you feel you may be suffering from anxiety and would like help, give us a call today on 1300 79 22 09. Conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, make an appointment to visit us before or after work.