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Let's (try to) define work load-pressure-stress

Workload, work pressure, workplace stress might sound similar and people use them interchangeably, but I'm here to argue that it should not be done. TL;DR usually more workload leads to work pressure, high work pressure leads to workplace stress, and chronic stress creates a relationship and even health problems.




The workload is the only neutral word here, what is 'neutral' about it? Unless you explicit qualify it like "I have high workload" or "I am getting so much free time these days since my workload has been reduced"; you can't tell for sure if it demands increased effort from the employee. 

Let's discuss work pressure; a short burst of high workload, work that is out of your comfort zone, or time-bound steep targets - all defines work pressure. If it is rare and rewarding it tends to put the career on fast-track, and this is what we usually hear from talent managers. Often work pressure is continuous and the deadline is almost always out of reach; this kind of setup might demotivate or make one feel they are underpaid; some disgruntled members can be seen in Reddit boasting their story on r/ProRevenge.

High work pressure experienced by a weak soul, which neither has support channel nor has the strength to hit back starts getting stressed. This stress created in their workplace slowly starts to creep into their personal life and will ruin relationships and health of the individual. It is very important for the organization to safeguard their employees from being stressed, the modern-day firms have understood this well. Most organizations encourage team activity outside office and recognition programs to boost the morale of herd. Thus, I rest my case to distinguish workload, work pressure and workplace stress.

Back story, a colleague complained that she didn't get individual recognition but the team she leads won 'Best Team' award; like most other management ours also spread the award - so many people get recognized. This meant few superstars were overlooked for multiple awards. You ask about me? I got the promoted recently, ours is an organisation that wants to please all at this point of time, I believe my name was stuck down as soon as it came up; at least that is the story I tell myself, helps me sleep better o.O Imagine being stressed about a rewards program, that is put in place to nip off work pressure before it evolves into stress, it is anti-climatic that she is stressed about joy; if only people can share with the world.

Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corporate_Woman_Being_Stressed_at_Work.svg

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