Dealing with Anxiety in the Workplace: Expert Advice

Workplace anxiety can really affect how well people do their jobs and how happy they are. Those with anxiety might say no to chances for advancement or make up reasons to miss out on work events. They might also find it hard to meet deadlines¹.

The Americans with Disabilities Act helps protect people with physical or mental disabilities from being unfairly treated at work. It also lets employees ask for changes that can help them do their job better¹. To deal with workplace anxiety, it’s important to talk openly, give employees the power to make decisions, and find ways to reduce stress. It’s also key to understand the different challenges people face.

Key Takeaways

Workplace anxiety can significantly impact employee performance and well-being.
The Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals with physical or mental disabilities from job discrimination.
Effective strategies for managing workplace anxiety include open communication, empowering employees, and providing reasonable accommodations.
Identifying and managing stressors, as well as understanding diverse challenges, are crucial for addressing workplace anxiety.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management can help alleviate workplace anxiety.

Understanding Workplace Anxiety

What is Workplace Anxiety?

Workplace anxiety is feeling nervous or stressed about your job or work place². It can be about doing well at work, getting along with coworkers, or money worries. It’s different from general anxiety because it only happens at work and goes away when you’re not there². This anxiety can really affect how well you do your job, how happy you are, and your overall health.

Anxiety disorders are very common in the U.S³.. Signs at work include doing worse at your job, missing a lot of days, feeling sick, and not being productive³. It can make you miss deadlines, forget things, and not get much done⁴. People might feel anxious because of problems with coworkers, not feeling secure in their job, or the pace of their work⁴.

It’s important to know what workplace anxiety is and its symptoms. By understanding these, employers and employees can make a better work place. This helps everyone feel better mentally.

Statistic	Source
83% of workers feel emotionally drained from their work according to a 2021 study from Mental Health America.	²
85% of workers agreed that workplace stress affects their mental health based on the same 2021 study.	²
There are over 300 doctors working at Talkiatry, a national psychiatry practice.	²
Talkiatry has 60 insurance partners for providing in-network, virtual care.	²
First visits at Talkiatry are available in days.	²
Around 40% of Americans report feeling stressed during their workday.	⁴

Symptoms of Workplace Anxiety

Workplace anxiety can make employees feel disconnected from their work. They might become irritable and tired⁵. Signs like a drop in performance, losing interest in work, and trouble focusing show anxiety at the office⁵.

Physical symptoms of workplace anxiety include headaches, neck pain, sweating, and stomach problems⁶. Behavioral signs, like avoiding meetings, putting off tasks, or being short with coworkers, also point to job anxiety⁶.

Work anxiety can stem from many sources, like conflicts, tight deadlines, or feeling unfairly treated⁶. No matter the cause, it can harm job performance, personal life, and overall health⁶.

Physical Symptoms	Behavioral Changes
Headaches Neck tension Sweating Stomach issues	Avoiding meetings Procrastinating on tasks Snapping at colleagues

Knowing the signs of workplace anxiety helps employers and employees tackle it. This can lead to a better, more productive work place⁶.

How Prevalent is Workplace Anxiety?

Workplace anxiety is becoming more common. Studies show that a big part of the workforce is dealing with it. 60% of employees are experiencing at least mild symptoms of anxiety, with 25% experiencing clinically relevant symptoms⁷. This highlights the need for companies to support their employees’ mental health.

Workplace anxiety affects many areas. 56% of employees say stress and anxiety hurt their work performance, and 51% say it damages their relationships with coworkers⁷. Also, 50% of employees say their work quality drops because of stress, and 43% struggle with their bosses⁷.

It’s not just in the U.S. Globally, anxiety disorders are the sixth-leading cause of disability, with higher rates in females and those aged 15 to 34⁸. In the United States, anxiety disorders affect 18% of American adults and up to 33% of people at some point⁸.

The rise in workplace anxiety is clear. 24% of people reached out to ComPsych for mental health help in 2023 because of anxiety, making it the top concern for U.S. workers⁹. It’s vital for companies to tackle this issue to support their employees and keep the workplace healthy.

As workplace anxiety grows, employers must focus on their employees’ mental health. Understanding and tackling this issue can help create a better work environment. This environment supports employee success and well-being.

The Impact of Workplace Anxiety

Workplace anxiety is a big problem for companies. It affects not just how employees feel but also the company’s bottom line. Studies show that anxiety, stress, and depression cause over half of all sick days at work¹⁰.

Also, 1 in 5 workers say their mental health hurts their work performance¹⁰. The total cost of lost work, reduced productivity, and turnover due to mental health issues is about $45 billion a year in the U.S¹⁰..

Costs to Organizations

Anxiety disorders hit 18% of American adults and up to 33% at some point¹¹. Worldwide, they’re the sixth biggest cause of disability, especially in women and young adults¹¹. People with anxiety miss about 4.6 days a month and 18.1 days every three months due to disability¹¹.

They also lose 5.5 days a month because they can’t work as well¹¹. Those with anxiety are 1.5 times more likely to miss work for two weeks and twice as likely to do poor work¹¹. By 2030, untreated depression and anxiety will cost 12 billion workdays, totaling $925 billion¹¹.

But, treating these issues can bring a $4 return for every $1 spent. It could also improve workforce participation by 5% and return $399 billion¹¹.

The effects of workplace anxiety are huge, affecting both employees and companies. Taking steps to help employee mental health can pay off big time. It can boost productivity and help the company succeed in the long run.

Strategies for Managing Workplace Anxiety

Employers can help employees with workplace anxiety. Keeping communication open and discussing work expectations can ease worries. Empowering employees by letting them control their work and time can also help¹².

Identifying and Managing Stressors

It’s important to find and fix work stressors like low pay and long hours. Understanding what causes anxiety helps organizations take action¹².

Providing Reasonable Accommodations

Offering flexible schedules and private areas can help with stress and anxiety¹². These changes can help employees stay productive while managing their feelings.

Understanding Diverse Challenges

It’s key to know the unique challenges each group faces in the workplace¹³. Tailored solutions, like training and flexible hours, meet the needs of different employees¹³.

By using these strategies, companies can make a better work environment. This supports employee well-being and boosts the company’s success¹³.

Conclusion

Workplace anxiety is a big problem that needs more attention from bosses. Knowing the signs, how common it is, and its effects can help companies support their employees’ mental health¹⁴. The numbers show it’s a big deal, with 83% of workers feeling drained and 85% saying stress hurts their mental health¹⁴.

There are ways to make work less stressful, as this article shows. Improving how we talk, giving employees power, and managing stress are key¹⁵. Also, making work fit for everyone and understanding different challenges are important¹⁵.

In short, tackling workplace anxiety needs a big effort to care for employees’ mental health. By supporting their well-being, companies can reduce stress and make their teams better. The advice in this article is a great start for bosses wanting to improve their work environment.