As our economy has continued to suffer so have workers and even employers.  There are many pressures that each face but with the holidays upon us those pressures may double.  This is a stressful albeit joyful time of the year.

It seems that with the glee surrounding the holiday season there is an equal amount of anxiety that follows.  Not only are people stressed about creating a festive holiday environment for their family but many are also overwhelmed with trying to complete all of their work tasks while working fewer days.  Others are stressed because of still looming lay-offs or the financial instability of their company.  Many people who were working and providing for their families last year are now struggling to keep the lights on. 

Some of you may wonder what does this have to do with you?  Well, when your employer, employees or co-workers are stressed out, it creates a stressful work environment.  We should all be aware of our surroundings and how to identify persons who are stressed out.  It is no secret that people behave very irrationally when they become consumed with their problems and see no viable outlet.  Think back to many of the workplace shootings that have recently occurred and some of the murder-suicides that have been committed because people just got too stressed out.

Everyone may exhibit some of these traits some of the time but if you notice someone consistently showing the following signs of stress, it may be to your advantage to assist them with finding help:

• Feeling anxious, irritable or depressed – this does not include people who naturally have this disposition but those who are normally happy or content at work but lately just don’t seem to be feeling it
• Apathy, loss of interest in work – again, not the people who are always complaining about their job but the workers who normally don’t mind coming to work but all of sudden they act as if they could care less or don’t want to be there
• Problems sleeping – I know you don’t go home with these people but you can tell if someone is dragging at work or if they look as if they hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a while
• Trouble concentrating – this is an obvious sign of stress and can also be dangerous depending on the nature of your work, positions such as financial or factory workers can be a liability to their organization if they are not focused on their job
• Muscle tension or headaches – signs of stress can also manifest with physical symptoms
• Social withdrawal – if a worker who is normally social or outgoing begins to keep to his/her self that is a sign that there is a problem
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs – it may not be happening at work but the symptoms can carry over and affect their disposition and performance in the workplace

Next week I will provide some tips on how you can help manage stress in your workplace.

Leave me a comment with some signs of stress that you have noticed and/or some ways that you have helped someone manage their stress.