Workplace Issues & Unemployment
Experiencing stress in the workplace or unemployment can have a significant impact on your mental health and daily life. If you're struggling with work-related issues, explore this guide to learn more and find support.
What are workplace issues? What is unemployment?
We all encounter pressure and stressful moments at work. But constant stress, feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or resentful about what's going on at work can cause larger challenges to your health and barriers to your happiness.
Unemployment and job loss are other types of work-related issues that can have a significant effect on your health and life. It may feel like you’ve lost stability and a sense of your identity, which may trigger feelings of grief and loss. Those feelings, combined with the need to find work to support you and your loved ones, can be difficult and scary.
But there is good news. More people—including employers—are realizing how important workplace well-being is following our collective experience of pandemic stressors, and are exploring ways to support it. As a result, there are many steps you can take to keep any work issues you encounter in check, and a number of resources available to help you manage and navigate the workplace and unemployment.
What causes workplace issues and unemployment?
Workplace stress varies from person to person and workplace to workplace. Usually, you can tell you're experiencing it when you feel overwhelmed, unappreciated, or disconnected from your work. Unemployment, however, has a number of causes, including reductions in force, mistakes in the workplace, issues of funding and revenue, or larger economic forces like recessions.
It's important to recognize when workplace stress crosses the line into abuse and violations of employee protections. If you are being subjected to harassment or another form of workplace abuse, please seek immediate support either through your employer or an attorney who specializes in hostile work environments.
Some workplace issues include:
- Excessive, overwhelming workload
- Uninteresting or unchallenging tasks
- Strict, long or unpredictable schedules
- Lack of input on decisions or lack of control
- Lack of meaning or purpose
Other issues could be related to workplace dynamics and can leave you feeling unsupported, unequipped to do the work you need to do, or even unsafe. These include:
- Low pay, limited growth or stability concerns
- Lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities
- Difficult relationships with managers or coworkers
- Lack of work-life balance
- Not enough tools or training
- Lack of value, appreciation or support by supervisors
- Discrimination, inequality and disrespect
- Health, wellness and safety issues
- Workplace environment or commute
Though you might feel undervalued, stuck or unhappy to the point you’d like to resign or find a new job, there are many reasons why that may feel like a daunting or unrealistic option—your financial situation, family responsibilities, available time and the state of the job market are just a few factors. Your situation can feel even more difficult if you feel pressure to push through, link your identity with work and achievement, have negative feelings toward yourself or have reached the point of intense burnout.
Since time off isn’t always possible, you may need to find ways to cope with stressors on the job. It’s important to recognize what workplace issues exist for you and how they’re affecting your mental health so that you can take the steps to refresh your outlook on work and how it fits into your life.
What are some emotions, moods, and life experiences associated with workplace issues and unemployment?
Long-term unemployment or dissatisfaction at work is associated with all kinds of feelings and complications. Take a look at these related emotions and life challenges and see if they resonate.
How can I deal with workplace issues and unemployment?
Given the pressure to be high-performing, it might be hard to admit when something needs to change. Recognizing the extent to which a challenging work situation, losing a job or being unemployed is having on you is the first and necessary step.
If you’re employed, start by exploring what support your employer may offer by talking to a manager, union rep, or human resources; taking advantage of an employee assistance program (EAP) if your workplace has one; or taking some time off if you can (check with your workplace to understand what paid leave options they may have).
If you’re unemployed, you can take small steps to ensure your basic needs are met in this moment of transition. Explore filing for unemployment if you haven’t already. It’s also worth looking into getting health insurance (check out healthcare.gov), especially if your mental health is worsened by job loss. If you find yourself with extra time, consider using some of it to do things you enjoy like seeing friends, revisiting a hobby or going on longer walks.
Try to recognize the value you can bring to a workplace that treats you with the respect you deserve. Taking care of yourself—mind, body and soul—can help you celebrate your value and land you a better work-life balance.
Things to Try
While there are certain things we can't control about our employment situation, we can all take some steps to build confidence and find calm in the chaos.
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Create an end-of-work day habit
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Picture yourself at the top of your game
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Reward your achievements
What resources are available to deal with workplace issues or unemployment?
If you're facing stress at work or the loss of income, it can be tough to see a clear path forward. Thankfully, there are resources to help you find assistance to get through this difficult time.
What are some mental health conditions associated with workplace issues and unemployment?
Workplace issues and unemployment, if long-term or chronic, can cause or worsen depression, sleep issues, and other mental health conditions. Review some of the diagnoses associated with work-related stress.
Citations
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Workplace Well-Being