We spend more time at our workplace than in any other activity. Over 40% of all people consider their work as stressful. Organizations and employers must be prepared to help prevent such stress or to support their employees. If they bring pre-existing traumas into the workplace, it can not only affect their work performance and productivity, but also affect those of their colleagues and the whole organization.
Currently we can see the stressful effects of the health pandemic. All activities worldwide have been affected. Many families are dealing with death, grief, suicide, accident, or injury. While at work, people can be exposed to a variety of pressures such as sexual harassment or various types of discrimination (racial, religious, sexual or cultural, including language proficiency). Bullying, threats, harassment, betrayal, maliciousness, extreme isolation, chronic pressure, unresolved conflict or a toxic work environment can cause uncertainty. This could include fear for the future, downsizing, or fear of unemployment. Many such situations can affect physical, emotional, or mental health, all of which are intertwined.Work related trauma can also result from feeling victimized by having too many responsibilities or unrealistic expectations from the employer. Poor communication, gossip, bullying, tension, harassment, discrimination, low job satisfaction, or personality conflicts at work can all contribute to poor health.The symptoms can manifest in multiple ways. These can include insomnia, irritability, mood swings, anger, or feelings of disappointment and disillusion about their career choice and/or employer. People can become filled with confusion about why they are unable to meet the demands placed on them. Hopelessness can set in. The inability to cope can result in anxiety and fear, fatigue, muscle tension, family problems, depression, feelings of isolation and substance abuse. Certain professions will also have special stressors. For example, the police force, the military, firefighters, health care workers, clergy, teachers, those who work in mining or overnight shift workers, airline crews, among others. Organizations and employers can seek help from mental health counselors to offer confidential online support. Such help would prevent employees who are suffering from such conditions from losing their jobs, as many will not share their traumas with the organization for fear of stigma.