Job security, low salaries create workplace stress

Stress in the MENA Workplace, Bayt.com, the Middle East’s job site, investigates the various factors that contribute to stress in workplaces across the MENA region. The stress we experience comes from our personal lives, sometimes, a person’s stress can be caused by, or made worse, by work.

The poll has revealed that more than half of respondents in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region agree that workplaces today are more stressful than they were a few years back (52 per cent), and more than two thirds (69.1 per cent) agree that they feel more pressure at work this year in comparison to last year.

The majority of respondents feel overwhelmed at work (83 per cent), with 26.2 per cent feeling overwhelmed ‘all of the time’, and 74.8 per cent claiming that jobs at their companies are more demanding than others.

More than a third, or 35 per cent, claim to spend too much time at work, while a quarter say that they spend just the right amount of time.

Just 2.9 per cent admit that they are spending too little time at work.

According to MENA respondents, stress does not affect work performance the most.

For them, stress affects their family relations the most, with 27.9 per cent of the respondents saying so.

This is followed by their friendships (21 per cent), work performance (19.9 per cent) and health (16.4 per cent).

The three main stress factors for MENA respondents are their financial situation (40 per cent), their work (19 per cent) and their personal issues (18 per cent).

While almost a quarter of respondents, or 24.7 per cent, claim to experience an average amount of stress at work, 57.4 per cent of them find the workplace stressful; with 17.6 per cent admitting that their workplace is ‘extremely stressful’ and 19.7 per cent claiming to experience ‘a little stress at work’.

Meanwhile, 18 per cent of the respondents claim that their workplace is not stressful at all.

Low salaries: A low salary is the main stress factor at work for 28.2 per cent of MENA respondents.

Other stress factors include a lack of job security (12.3 per cent), while 9.7 per cent say it’s the workplace environment and not having a work-life balance (9.1 per cent).

In addition, 40 per cent of the respondents claim that technologies, like email, laptops and phones, intended to make their lives easier, are actually contributing to work stress; 42.1 per cent believe the opposite to be true.

When it comes to avoiding work stress altogether, a quarter of the respondents or 25 per cent agree that engaging in regular team meetings and working for a company that offers flexible hours (23.9 per cent) will reduce the stress component.

In fact, more than three quarters claim that they could do a much better job if given more time (77.4 per cent).

Over two thirds of the respondents or 67.9 per cent admit that they can express their thoughts or complain about their workload, and the majority receive adequate acknowledgment and appreciation when their work is good (82.7 per cent).

Moreover, 92.2 per cent have adequate control, or input, over their work duties, and almost three quarters or 73.6 per cent agree that the management is sufficiently sensitive to, and helpful, in resolving needs, conflicts, or other problems that are stressful for employees.

To resolve their stress issues, 43.6 per cent of respondents exercise more frequently, while 39.7 per cent turn to socialising with friends after work.

“Work-related stress can be caused by poor work organisation, poor work design, unsatisfactory working conditions, low salaries, and lack of support from colleagues and managers,” said Suhail Masri, Vice President of Employer Solutions at Bayt.com.

Data for the Bayt.com ‘Stress in the MENA Workplace’ poll was collected online from June 26, 2016 to August 2, 2016.

Results are based on a sample of 10,956 respondents. Countries that participated include the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

UAE Islamic firm National Bonds Corporation offers job loss insurance

Dubai-based National Bonds Corporation has launched a takaful-based savings programme that provides takaful insurance cover as well as protection for jobs loss.

The ‘Sanadi’ Programme provides coverage of up to 100 per cent of the monthly salary, as well as protection for job loss, loss of life, permanent disability, critical illness and terminal illness.

In addition, the programme extends hospital cash benefits and cover for a second medical opinion. 

Protection for job loss covers up to six monthly salaries, while protection against death, permanent disability and terminal illnesses covers up to 60 monthly salaries.

Coverage for critical illnesses is provided for up to seven medical conditions over a maximum period of 24 months, along with provision for a second medical opinion and hospital cash benefits.

Furthermore, the Sanadi plan offers a chance to earn annual returns and win rewards on savings that can reach up to Dh1 million as part of the National Bonds rewards programme.

Mohammed Qasim Al-Ali, CEO of National Bonds, said: “In order to continue supporting our customers and providing them and their families with financial security and a better future, we have designed the Sanadi programme as an integrated savings plan that helps customers to effectively handle challenges that may impact their well-being.”

He added: “For our product design, we use accurate studies about individuals’ financial needs in the UAE and the concerns and challenges that might hinder them from attaining their financial goals. The 2015 National Bonds Savings Index revealed an increase in concerns for most people in the UAE and the GCC region with regard to losing jobs in an unstable global economic environment.”

Ten Ways to Solve Job Stress

While some workplace stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and impact your physical and emotional health. And your ability to deal with it can mean the difference between success or failure.
You can’t control everything in your work environment, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless—even when you’re stuck in a difficult situation. Finding ways to manage workplace stress isn’t about making huge changes or rethinking career ambitions, but rather about focusing on the one thing that’s always within your control: you
Minor sources of job stress may include equipment that doesn’t work or phones that don’t stop ringing.Major stress comes from having too much work or not getting along with your manager.Any type of stress can cause you to become unhappy and less productive in your job. Here are some options for lowering your job stress levels.
1. Identify the problem source
Whether it’s an unrealistic workload, job insecurity, office politics or a hostile work environment, you need to figure out what’s making you miserable at work and then you can take steps to deal with it.
2. Meet with your manager
In addition to your formal appraisal, meet with your manager every six months to talk about your performance and your job. Use this meeting as a chance to clear up issues that may be causing stress for you. Discuss and clarify what’s expected of you, where the company is going and how you fit into that as well as your strengths and areas for improvement.
3. Manage your time
Make a list of tasks you have to do and tackle them in order of importance. Do the high-priority items first. If you have something particularly unpleasant to do, get it over with early and you will enjoy the day more. Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely. Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. If your employer offers a course in time management, sign up for it.
4. Have a hobby
If you feel the stress building, take a break. Try walking around the block or get involved in some other activity that is relaxing and gets your mind off work. Also try to get away from your desk for lunch. Stepping away from work to recharge will help you be more, not less, productive.
5. Develop friendships at work
Cultivate allies at work. Just knowing you have one or more co-workers can listen while you off-load will reduce your stress levels. Just remember to be there for them when they are in need.
6. Delegate responsibility
Let go of the desire to control or oversee every little step. You’ll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process. You don’t have to do it all yourself, if other people can take care of the task, why not let them? In the long run, it doesn’t take more time to teach someone else than to always do it yourself.
7. Unplug
Leave work at work. Make a conscious decision to separate work time from personal time. Avoid checking work e-mail at home. When with your family, for instance, turn off your work mobile and put away your laptop.
8. Keep a log
Make a list of all the demands on your time for one week. On a scale of 1 (not very intense) to 5 (very intense), rate the intensity of stress that each demand causes. Pay attention to events that you ranked as very stressful. Select one of them to explore and implement a solution and then focus on the others.
9. Take advantage of your options
Find out if your employer offers flexi hours or job sharing for your role. The flexibility may alleviate some of your stress and free up some time.
10. Seek professional help
If your life feels too chaotic to manage, talk to a professional. You can speak confidentially to your doctor, a psychologist or a trained counselor through your company’s employee assistance program
Final Thoughts
Put it in perspective. Jobs are disposable. Your friends, families and health are not. If are really unhappy and the suggestions above haven’t helped, it may be time to start looking for a new job.