Can work place stress be defined? Workplace stress is the harmful physical and emotional responses that carry a conflict between job demands on the employee. In general, the combination of high demands in the workplace and in life can lead to stress overload, (Columbia, 2000). This is why stress at work needs to be taken seriously to avoid burn out and major health problems.
             There are many different signs and symptoms that can indicate when someone is coping with the amount of stress they are experiencing. Some of the physical signs are: headaches, grinding of teeth, clenched jaw, pounding of the heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, high blood pressure, muscle aches, indigestion and constipation or diarrhea, as well as insomnia, fatigue, and irregular perspiration. This continuing unnoticed can eventually lead to serious illness. Some of the psychological signs to look for are: anxiety irritability, defensiveness, anger and mood swings, racing thoughts or slowed thinking skills, sadness or depression, and feeling helpless and trapped. This will result in abnormal behavioural signs such as: over eating or loss of appetite, increased use of drugs or alcohol, and smoking, with drawl, or isolation from responsibility, poor job performance, poor personal hygiene, and with drawl from personal family members, (Columbia 2000). Stress signs and symptoms seem to progress in different stages. The stages can be defined as the warning phases (phase one), mild symptoms (phase two), enhanced cumulative stress, (stage three), and finally leading into severe and debilitating cumulative stress reaction, (stage four). The early warning signs which are part of phase one can take up to one year before you notice them. These signs are more emotional signals rather than physical. The signs and symptoms of phase one are things such as depression, boredom and emotional fatigue. When the signs and symptoms progress and become more intense, your stress leve...