Workplace Health and Safety Toolkit for Vulnerable Populations

Stress in the Workplace

 

Everyone experiences stress at some time in their life. While some stress is positive and even enjoyable, such as being a new parent or skydiving, other stress can occur in amounts that are difficult to handle. This negative stress may lead to mental and physical changes which may harm your health, your relationships, your ability to work, and your overall enjoyment of life.

​

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada defines workplace stress as, "the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between job demands and the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker" (Workplace Stress, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, 2019).

 

Stress in the workplace can come from many sources or from a singular event. Since stress is different for everyone, your approach to deal with it must be personalized, too. We will look at how to recognize various signs of stress and options to prevent job-related stress.