While being out of a job is understandably stressful, having one doesn’t mean life is anxiety-free. Today’s workforce faces a whole host of pressures that come with the territory of being employed.
Whether it’s the ticking clock of deadlines or trying to keep up with evolving roles, these work worries are very real. In a recent survey, the career experts at Resume.io asked 3,000 employees about the challenges that stress them out the most at work. The results? A list of the most common job-related anxieties employees are grappling with every day.
#1 Giving Presentations
The poll revealed that giving presentations is the most stressful situation for workers. The thought of standing up in front of a room (or even just a Zoom screen) to deliver a presentation still terrifies a lot of people. It’s not just about getting your point across – it’s the fear of blanking out, stumbling over words, or not holding anyone’s attention. The pressure is real and, for many, it’s overwhelming.
#2 Meeting Tight Deadlines
We’ve all been there – the deadline is looming, the pressure’s mounting, and it feels like there’s not enough time in the world to get everything done. That ticking clock can create intense stress and, for many Americans, it’s a constant battle between the work that needs to be done and the time they have to do it.
#3 Worrying About Job Security
Given the unpredictable economic climate, it’s no surprise that job security is a big concern for many. Whether it’s rumors of layoffs or fear of company restructuring, the anxiety of wondering whether you’ll still have a job next month is something a lot of employees are quietly dealing with.
#4 Adjusting to a New Role or Learning New Skills
Starting a new job or role can be exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking. The pressure to quickly adapt, learn new tools, and meet expectations can feel like you’re jumping into the deep end without a life jacket.
#5 Negotiating Salary or Asking for a Raise
Talking about money makes a lot of people uncomfortable – so much so that this emerged among the most anxious work events for employees. Whether you’re negotiating a salary offer or working up the courage to ask for a raise, the fear of rejection – or worse, awkward tension with your boss – is enough to keep employees from speaking up about what they think they deserve.
#6 Managing Relationships with Senior Leadership
Relationships with supervisors and higher-ups can be tricky. On one hand, you want to make a good impression and keep communication flowing smoothly. On the other, there’s that constant worry of stepping out of line or being seen as too assertive — or worse, not assertive enough.
#7 Navigating Office Politics
Coming in among the top worries was the topic of office politics. It’s the undercurrent in almost every workplace in America, and knowing how to navigate it without getting caught up in unnecessary drama is a skill in itself. But avoiding the landmines of workplace alliances and power struggles can create a lot of stress for employees.
#8 Receiving Critical Feedback
No matter how long you’ve been in the workforce, hearing critical feedback can sting. It’s tough not to take it personally, even when it’s meant to help you grow. The fear of messing up or being judged for your mistakes can weigh heavily on employees’ minds.
#9 Asking for Flexible Work Arrangements
The rise of remote and hybrid work means more employees are seeking flexible work arrangements. But asking for this flexibility? That’s another story. There’s still fear about how these requests will be received – whether it’ll hurt career advancement or affect how they’re perceived at work.
It’s not just these worries that employees are dealing with – there’s even more lurking beneath the surface. In fact, almost one-half (46%) of workers admit they’ve resorted to taking medication or drinking alcohol to calm their nerves before facing a stressful work situation. And when asked what might make them consider leaving their job, the top reasons were feeling undervalued by management (23%) and dealing with toxic work culture or conflicts with coworkers (19%).
What’s more, a whopping 49% of employees say they sometimes dread going into work because of the stress, while over half (54%) have taken unofficial time off in the past year because they were too stressed to handle the job.
So, how do people cope when things get too overwhelming? The survey revealed that most workers (58%) prefer to take a quick break outside to reset with a bit of fresh air. Others (16%) find solace in their car, while some opt for a less conventional escape – a breather in the bathroom cubicle (13%), a quiet corner (6%), or even hiding under their desk (4%). The stairwell is also an option for a handful (3%) who need to pace and clear their heads.
And it’s not just at work where the stress lingers – 58% of respondents said they regularly lose sleep because of work worries. Clearly, the weight of these concerns isn’t something employees can leave at the office door.
Infographic showing employees’ top work worries
“It’s clear that even the most successful employees face a range of work-related anxieties that go beyond just keeping their job,” says Amanda Augustine, career expert at Resume.io. “Whether it’s asking for a raise, managing deadlines, or receiving feedback, these worries highlight the need for organizations to create supportive environments where employees feel empowered to address their concerns without the fear of negative repercussions.”