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  • Tuesday, July 15, 2008

    Is your job stressful

    Quiz: How Stressed Are You?
    By Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com writer

    Maybe you're tired of 60-hour work weeks. Maybe you've been taking on the work (and expectations) of two people since a co-worker quit. Or maybe your company is undergoing a merger, leaving your job security in limbo. Whatever it is, you're just burned out.

    If your professional life is leaving you frazzled, you're hardly alone. More than half of workers say they work under a great deal of stress, and 77 percent say they feel burnout on the job, according to a nationwide survey by CareerBuilder.com.

    While office stress is common, it can also have dangerous consequences. Chronic workplace stress has been linked to cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal and psychological disorders, workplace injuries, ulcers and in severe cases, suicide, according to the International Labour Association's Encyclopaedia of Occupational Safety and Health.

    Are you experiencing the warning signs of workplace stress? Take this quiz to find out. Select all that apply:


    0-5 -- Low Stress:
    No work environment is entirely stress-free, but you appear to be managing your tension well. Still, be sure to take time for yourself to avoid burnout.



    6-10 -- Low-to-Moderate Stress:
    The stress is beginning to catch up with you, but there is still hope. Try relieving some of your tension by taking a relaxing vacation, talking to friends and family or just taking some time to yourself each day. Little steps can make a big impact on your stress levels.



    11-15 -- Moderate-to-High Stress:
    You're experiencing significant stress levels, and it might be time for a change. Talk to your employer to see if any adjustments can be made in your job or work/life balance that can ease the strain. If that's not possible, it may be time to look for a new position.



    16-20 -- High Stress:
    High stress levels are harmful both physically and psychologically, so it's important for you to take steps to reduce your workplace tension. Vacations, lifestyle changes or seeking a new position could do the trick, but it may be wise to also speak to a professional who can pinpoint the cause of your stress and identify ways to help you relax.





    Your job no longer challenges you.
    You have little or no autonomy in your day-to-day tasks.
    Apathy has replaced enthusiasm.
    You feel overwhelmed by deadline pressure, workload or other expectations.
    You frequently arrive late to work and leave early as often as possible.
    You consistently put off projects until the last minute.
    You're unhappy with your work/life balance.
    You have a toxic relationship with your boss.
    You're worried about your job security and/or performance.
    Your co-workers are walking on eggshells around you.
    Your work schedule is interfering with your marriage or other personal relationships.
    You're beginning to withdraw from friends and family members.
    You're having trouble sleeping.
    You're smoking, drinking or relying on caffeine more than ever before.
    You're feeling paranoid.
    You've been overreacting to minor problems.
    You're getting headaches or colds more often.
    You're physically exhausted most of the time.
    You've developed an ulcer.
    You've been diagnosed with a heart condition.

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