In particular, a heavy workload, job insecurity, a lack of direction and fairness, and excessive work hours can create feelings of anxiety in even the most resilient employees.
Working under a toxic manager can be psychologically taxing. Prolonged exposure to a boss who is controlling, bullying, or in the most severe cases, narcissistic, can create an environment of fear and affect levels of anxiety and overall well-being.
Even a slightly dysfunctional boss, such as one who exhibits micromanagement, poor communication, a lack of direction, or an inability to show up, can contribute to employee satisfaction and feelings of anxiety. When an employee experiences extensive micromanagement, they may feel that they aren’t trusted, creating a lack of confidence and an increase in anxiety.
Long work hours can also contribute to exhaustion, stress, and anxiety at work. Longer work hours often mean less time for relaxation and sleep. According to a study, employees may get more work done when they work fewer hours. However, working any number of hours for an overly stressful job can still be detrimental.
A heavy workload is one of the main reasons for stress at work. Many businesses expect employees to take on more than what time permits. This expectation can create stress, anxiety, poor sleep, fatigue, and job burnout.