Stress Factors

What job characteristics cause the most stress?

Adapted from the CWA pamphlet referenced under “For more information,” below are some stressors that can apply to work in schools:

Job control and low reward stressors include:

• Decisions over your work made by others.
• Lack of recognition for work done.
• Job insecurity and fear of layoffs.
• Loss of benefits.
• Inadequate pay and lack of promotion opportunities.
• Change of job duties to lower skilled work.
• Excessive monitoring by administrators.
• Racism, sexism, or age discrimination.
• Isolation from fellow employees, lack of support.

Job demand and working conditions stressors include:

• Overwork, including excessive paperwork and filling in for laid off employees.
• Poor physical conditions, including poor ventilation, heating and lighting; inoperable windows; outdated and incompatible computers, water leaks, overcrowded classrooms, etc.
• Violence and lack of training in violence prevention
• Work in windowless or other areas inappropriate for work done in them, such as shower and closets used as work areas
• Physical dangers, such as poor lighting in parking areas
• Conflicting job demands