The three causes are psychological harassment, work overload, and low task control. Psychological harassment includes repeated hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions and gestures that undermine an employee's dignity, or psychological or physical integrity. It includes threats and bullying as well as other subtle forms of incivility. Work overload is working long hours, seldom taking vacations, and working while sick, as well as being tethered to the workplace while "off work" through various technological devices. Work overload is increasing because of more work with people in distant time zones, habits of constantly-on communications, consumerism that pressures them to work longer hours, and the "ideal worker norm." Low task control is a lack of influence over how, when, and the pace at which workers perform their tasks. It is a stressor because workers cannot adjust the pace of a high workload with their own energy, attention span, and other resources.
(1) Remove the Stressor: Removing the stressor usually begins by identifying areas of high stress and determining the main causes of the stress. Techniques such as job sharing, flexible and restricted work hours, job sharing, telecommuting, personal leave, and child care support help employers remove the stressor.
(2) Withdraw from the Stressor: Removing the stressor may be the ideal solution, but it is often not feasible. An alternative strategy is to permanently or temporarily remove employees from the stressor. Permanent withdrawal occurs when employees are transferred to jobs that better fit their competencies and values. Temporarily withdrawing from stressors is the most frequent way that employees manage stress. Vacations and holidays are important opportunities for employees to recover from stress and reenergize for future challenges.
(3) Change Stress Perceptions: Another way to manage stress is to help employees improve their self-concepts so that job challenges are not perceived as threatening. One study reported that personal goal setting and self-reinforcement can also reduce the stress that people experience when they enter new work settings.
(4) Control Stress Consequences: Coping with workplace stress also involves controlling its consequences. Techniques such as fitness, relaxation, and meditation help employees achieve this.
(5) Receive Social Support: Social support occurs when coworkers, supervisors, family members, friends, and others provide emotional and informational support to buffer an individual's stress experience. It potentially improves the person's resilience.