Glossary
Use the keyboard function: "Ctrl F" to search for terms in this glossary
A
- Absenteeism. The habitual non-presence of an employee at their job, often linked to workplace stress, health issues, or dissatisfaction.
- Acute Stress. A short-term form of stress that arises from immediate demands or pressures, such as deadlines or sudden changes, and typically resolves once the situation is over.
- American Institute of Stress (AIS). A non-profit organization dedicated to advancing understanding and research on stress and its effects, particularly in workplace environments.
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). A global organization that develops safety standards and provides education to help professionals improve workplace safety and health.
- Anxiety. A mental health condition marked by excessive worry or fear, often triggered or worsened by work-related stressors.
B
- Bullying. Repeated and intentional harmful behavior in the workplace, including verbal abuse or sabotage, that contributes to negative stress and reduced morale.
- Burnout. A state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to workplace stress, often resulting in reduced productivity and disengagement.
C
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A federal public health agency that provides guidance on occupational safety and health, including mental health and stress prevention in the workplace.
- Chronic Stress. Long-term stress resulting from ongoing pressures at work, such as persistent job insecurity, excessive workload, or toxic environments, which can lead to serious health problems.
- Cognitive Overload. A condition in which an employee is overwhelmed by excessive mental demands, impairing decision-making and performance.
- Communication Breakdown. A failure in the exchange of information within the workplace, leading to misunderstandings, conflict, and increased stress.
- Conflict. Disagreements or clashes between employees or teams, which can escalate stress and hinder workplace harmony.
- Coping Mechanisms. Strategies and behaviors individuals use to manage stress, such as relaxation techniques, exercise, or seeking social support.
D
- Deadlines. Time limits for completing tasks or projects that, when poorly managed, can contribute significantly to workplace stress.
E
- Emotional Exhaustion. A state of feeling emotionally drained and depleted due to chronic stress, often a key component of burnout.
- Episodic Acute Stress. A recurring form of short-term stress caused by frequent or repeated challenges, such as ongoing crises or constantly urgent work situations.
- Expectations. Assumptions or demands placed on employees that may lead to stress if they are unclear, unrealistic, or unachievable.
- Exposure to Stress. The duration, frequency, and intensity of contact with workplace stressors, which can accumulate over time to affect mental and physical health.
F
- Fatigue. Physical or mental weariness resulting from overwork, stress, or inadequate rest, affecting performance and well-being.
G
- Goals. Defined targets or outcomes that guide work efforts; unrealistic or misaligned goals can become significant stressors.
H
- Hazards (Workplace Stress Hazards). Aspects of work design, management, or organization that may pose risks to mental health, such as high demands, poor support, or role conflict.
- Health Issues. Physical or mental conditions that can be caused or worsened by prolonged exposure to workplace stress, including heart disease and depression.
- Hierarchy of Controls (HOC). A system used in occupational health and safety to minimize or eliminate hazards, starting with elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). It can be adapted to manage psychosocial risks.
I
- Imposter Syndrome. A psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud, contributing to workplace stress.
- Inadequate Resources. A lack of essential tools, time, or support needed to perform work tasks, leading to frustration and stress.
- Isolation. A sense of disconnection or lack of social interaction in the workplace, often contributing to increased stress and reduced well-being.
J
- Job Demands. The physical, psychological, and emotional requirements of a job that, if excessive, can lead to stress and burnout.
- Job Insecurity. The fear or perception that one’s job is at risk, often contributing to chronic stress and reduced job satisfaction.
- Job Stressors. Factors within the workplace—such as workload, conflicts, or poor management—that contribute to stress in employees.
K
- Knowledge Overload. The overwhelming influx of information that hinders decision-making and causes stress, often associated with fast-paced digital workplaces.
L
- Lack of Control. The perception of having little influence over one’s tasks or environment, commonly associated with higher levels of workplace stress.
- Low Morale. A general sense of dissatisfaction and disengagement among employees, often caused by stressors such as poor leadership or unclear expectations.
M
- Micromanagement. A management style characterized by excessive control and attention to detail, often resulting in employee frustration and stress.
- Multitasking. Performing multiple tasks simultaneously, which can reduce productivity and increase stress due to cognitive strain.
N
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). A U.S. federal agency that conducts research and provides recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and stress.
- Negative Stress. Also known as distress, it refers to harmful stress that impairs functioning and contributes to physical and mental health issues.
- Negative Work Environment. A toxic or unsupportive workplace atmosphere that contributes to employee stress, low morale, and high turnover.
O
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A U.S. government agency that enforces workplace safety regulations and addresses hazards—including psychosocial stressors—to protect employee well-being.
- Overload. The condition of having too many tasks or responsibilities to manage, leading to stress and reduced effectiveness.
P
- Perfectionism. A personality trait marked by striving for flawlessness, which can result in chronic stress and fear of failure.
- Performance Pressure. The stress experienced due to expectations to achieve high results, often leading to anxiety and burnout.
- Positive Stress. Also known as eustress, this is a beneficial form of stress that can motivate individuals to perform well and grow professionally.
- Presenteeism. The act of attending work while unwell or unproductive, often driven by stress, job insecurity, or workplace expectations.
- Productivity. The efficiency with which work is completed; it can be negatively or positively affected by the presence and type of workplace stress.
Q
- Quiet Quitting. A trend where employees do the bare minimum required, often as a result of burnout, low engagement, or dissatisfaction with workplace culture.
R
- Recognition Deficit. The lack of acknowledgment or appreciation for employee contributions, leading to frustration and disengagement.
- Role Ambiguity. Uncertainty or confusion about job responsibilities, which contributes to stress and reduces performance clarity.
- Role Conflict. A situation where competing demands are placed on an employee, causing stress and confusion about priorities.
S
- Skill Mismatch. A gap between an employee’s skills and job requirements, leading to frustration, underperformance, and stress.
- Stress. The physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances, including those in the workplace. It can be short-term or chronic and affect well-being and performance.
- Stressors. Internal or external factors that cause stress, including deadlines, conflict, and excessive workload.
T
- Team Dysfunction. Poor collaboration, lack of trust, or misalignment within a team that contributes to a stressful work environment.
- Time Management. The process of planning and exercising control over the time spent on tasks, crucial for reducing workplace stress and increasing productivity.
- Traumatic Stress. Stress resulting from exposure to disturbing or life-threatening events at work, such as violence, accidents, or natural disasters. It can lead to PTSD or long-term psychological effects.
- Toxic Culture. A workplace environment characterized by negativity, bullying, or poor leadership, which fosters high levels of stress and turnover.
U
- Uncertainty. The lack of predictability in job roles, outcomes, or organizational direction, contributing to increased stress and anxiety.
V
- Ventilation. The act of expressing thoughts and feelings about stressors, often used as a coping mechanism to reduce tension in the workplace.
W
- Work-Life Balance. The equilibrium between professional responsibilities and personal life, essential for reducing chronic stress and enhancing well-being.
- Workplace Politics. Informal power dynamics and influence tactics in the workplace that can create stress, tension, and division among employees.
- Workload. The amount of work assigned to or expected from an employee, which can be a significant source of stress when excessive or unmanageable.
- World Health Organization. A United Nations agency that provides global leadership on health-related matters, including the recognition of workplace stress as a public health concern.
X
- X-Factor Stressors. Unpredictable or external stressors, such as economic downturns or personal crises, that impact employee well-being and performance.
Y
- Yielding Under Pressure. The tendency to become less effective or make poor decisions when faced with high stress or overwhelming demands.