How High Is Your Job Stress Level?

July 21, 2005

Most managers understand that too much stress in the workplace can result in absenteeism, poor morale, low job satisfaction, behavior and performance problems, and high turnover. It can even adversely affect employees' physical and mental health.

In fact, many managers feel a great deal of stress themselves.

Many conditions can contribute to a high level of stress in the workplace. These stress-contributors function like building blocks. One is added on top of the other in a cumulative fashion. If the stack of "blocks" is high enough, it can result in a tower reaching dangerously high stress levels.

How high is your stress level?

And what are the building blocks that contribute to your feelings of stress?

Following is a short test, comprised of 13 questions. Each question represents a potential "block" of stress. Added together, they give you a measure of your overall level of job stress.

More importantly, this test will help you identify what you need to do in order to reduce the level of stress in your work life. You see, in order to lower your stress level overall, you have to begin removing the blocks from your stack, one at a time.

This list is not intended to be comprehensive. However, based on our research and in our own experience working with organizations, we feel they represent some of the most common contributors to stress in the workplace. Please feel free to send me an e-mail containing any items you'd like to see added to the list.

Instructions: For each question, select the statement that best describes how you feel about your current job. For each item you answer "B" give yourself one (1) point. For each item you answer "C" give yourself two (2) points. ("A" answers get zero points).

Enter your score at the bottom. We'll analyze your score, then I'll tell you where you can find some tips for reducing your stress level, one block at a time.

1. I have too many assignments or too much work to do and not enough time to get it all done.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
2. I don't have the staff, budget, or equipment I need to get the work done.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
3. I've been given an important assignment without being told how to do it. No one has given me instructions or told me how to perform the job.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
4. I don't feel qualified to handle this job.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
5. I have no involvement in the decisions that affect my work. Assignments are dumped on me without my input or I'm not given any say in how or when the work gets done.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
6. I have difficulty balancing my responsibilities at work with my family and personal obligations.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
7. I don't have anyone I can turn to for help. I don't feel comfortable going to my manager when I encounter a problem or need help.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
8. My future here is uncertain. I may not have a job next week.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
9. No one ever tells me what's going on around here. I'm frequently left in the dark.
   1. Rarely or Never
   2. Sometimes
   3. Often or Very Often
       
10. Priorities change on a daily basis. I feel as though nothing is ever completed.
    1. Rarely or Never
    2. Sometimes
    3. Often or Very Often
        
11. Everything is a crisis. There is no plan or process for preventing problems from occurring.
    1. Rarely or Never
    2. Sometimes
    3. Often or Very Often
        
12. I'm constantly bullied or harassed by a manager or coworker.
    1. Rarely or Never
    2. Sometimes
    3. Often or Very Often
        
13. I'm not sure what is expected of me. No one has told me clearly what I'm responsible for.
    1. Rarely or Never
    2. Sometimes
    3. Often or Very Often
        

Now, that you've completed the test, total your points. Remember to give yourself one (1) point for every "B" answer, two (2) points for every "C" answer, and no points for "A" answers.

How did you score?

If you scored less than ten (10), congratulations. Your job stress is probably well under control.

If, on the other hand, you scored 17 or more, you may be feeling a high level of stress, because it means you assigned yourself two points on at least 3 or 4 items.

Take a look at the individual items that are contributing the most to your job stress. We've prepared some tips for eliminating each of these sources of stress. You can find them by clicking on the link below, or by visiting the Expert Supervisor website at ExpertSupervisor.com and clicking on the link labeled "Stress Management."

Here's the direct link to the article:
Managing Stress in the Workplace

If you'd like to know more about how to obtain your own account in Expert Supervisor, click on:
http://www.ExpertSupervisor.com/subscribe_info.asp

Best regards,

Stephen Foster, Ph.D
Expert Supervisor, LLC
1493 Market Street
Tallahassee, FL 32312
(850) 893-5699

E-mail me at: Steve.Foster@ExpertSupervisor.com