Research shows: these are most stressful situations in workplace

Do you also break out in a sweat when this happens?

We all experience stressful or even anxious moments in the workplace. But guess what? There are a number of situations that many employees experience as ‘scary’. According to a new study by LinkedIn, this gives us the shivers en masse.

Make a mistake

If you’ve messed up something at work, it can bring bad feelings and you’ll want to sweep it under the rug. However, according to career expert Charlotte Davies, you will have to learn to ‘own’ your mistakes. She tells Stylist: “Although admitting our mistakes is never easy, it is the way to grow and become better at our work. The first moment, when you realize you’ve made a mistake and break out in a sweat, is often the most annoying. Try to stay calm, assess the situation and tell yourself that this is not the end of the world. By not being afraid and in control, you can take control of the situation before it turns into something much worse. By proactively addressing the problem, you present yourself as someone who is able to deal with stressful situations.”

The ‘can I speak to you for a moment?’ message

We experience such an ominous message from our manager as extremely stressful. Just as in private situations, research shows that this makes us anxious en masse. In our heads we are already preparing for a complete disaster. Davies says: “A manager asking for a one-on-one chat without context can startle even the most confident employees. For many people, hearing these words triggers a wave of panic as they try to figure out what they did wrong or brace themselves for terrifying news.” Chances are your brain probably immediately jumps to, “oh god, I’m getting fired…” but that’s pretty unlikely. According to Davies, it is wise to remain calm after such a message and consider some other options. She advises: “Ask yourself: could this be an innocent conversation about the project you are working on?”

Last minute requests

“Requests to do something at the last minute are a common fear in the workplace for many of us. Especially when it comes to public speaking, such as giving a presentation or chairing a meeting,” says Davies. Yet, according to her, the trick is to practice this and make it your own. “It may not be something you like to hear, but it is very important to regularly ‘just do it’. In addition, a lot of help is offered online in the form of tips or even courses.” According to her, having such a stressful moment is very normal, but controlling this fear will serve you well in your career.”

Having to take on work that does not belong to your position

We are all sometimes asked to perform tasks outside our job description and it can be quite stressful. At such a moment, many people think that you ‘can’t do it’ or that you will not be able to complete your own work by taking on this task. Very understandable. Yet, according to Davies, it is better to look on the positive side. “It can be an opportunity to get out of the shadows of your colleagues,” she says. “However, if you are increasingly being asked to take on more responsibilities that are making you feel uncomfortable, it may be time to talk to your manager.” “No” is also an answer – although for many this is an art in itself.