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CTSM: News & Updates

Overcoming IT-related stress in the workplace: Frustrated with your PC?

stress photo

The difference between stress and pressure at work is that we can expect pressure on a daily basis; indeed it will often motivate and enable us to perform at our best.  However, when too much pressure is sustained without the opportunity to recover or have closure; then we start to experience stress.

Stress can have serious effect on business productivity AND profitability.  The CBI has claimed it costs an average £25,000 per person per year for each hour lost every day at work.

Computer Rage is a well recognized phenomenon with research by Mori suggesting that four out of five computer users having seen colleagues hurling abuse at their PCs.  Three quarters admit swearing at the machine whilst a quarter of all under-25-year-olds admit to having kicked their computer!

Nearly half of all people working with computers feel frustrated or stressed because of IT problems.

  • IT infrastructure no longer suitable for the business' requirements
  • Lack of appropriate or timely action and planning to both prevent and tackle problems
  • Not having up to date software or enough of the truly helpful software
  • Hard or software incompatibility
  • Not knowing why a problem has occurred or unable to remedy
  • Not taking enough notice of pop-up information panels
  • Computer jargon and/or attitude of  IT support personnel
  • Symptom-only fix resulting in recurring faults because the underlying cause of the problem is not addressed
  • System down-time due to fault and subsequent problem fix, resulting in:
    • Work interruption
    • Missed deadlines
    • Customer dissatisfaction
    • Contracts lost
    • Employees forced to work late or take work home with them

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Practical advice and tips:

  • Step back from the problem, take a deep breath and walk away for 5-10 minutes
  • Ask for assistance from experts if you're not 100% sure of what you are doing
  • Use time spent waiting to do something else constructive, like paperwork
  • Try not to take stress home.  Ensure you have an outlet to let off steam before getting to your front door.  For example, keep a kit bag at work and go for a run or to the gym
  • Share the burden... talk to someone that can relate to the kind of issues you are dealing with
  • Consider establishing a break-out room.  Dependent on space, could provide anything from refreshment, and comfortable seating to foosball, air hockey, punch-bag etc.  Get opinions from staff about what they'd like to use
  • If space is at a premium, perhaps consider discount gym membership scheme or similar
  • Cultivate a tranquil, organized working environment.  Is there sufficient storage space?
  • Don't eat lunch at your desk.  Just 10 minutes out of the office and a breath of fresh air can help you re-energise and refocus
  • Acknowledge that computers aren't infallible.  Assume and plan for WHEN failure occurs, not IF!
  • Keep equipment and security measures up to date.  Check out our best practice guidelines
  • Cultivate tech-savvy habits across the organization, starting with protocol agreement on network security and best practice guidelines for IT-reliant mission critical processes
  • Assess and review the requirements for software and process training/re-training
  • Do something the old fashioned way now and then; write a letter, drop a n ote to a few contacts on a compliments slip with a relevant newspaper article enclosed.  Have a face to face meeting instead of phone
  • Get a good chair, have your desk properly lit and make the work area comfortable
  • Ensure the company has a policy for data back-up, disaster recovery and network security
  • Encourage a healthy work-life balance within the culture of the company
  • Facilitate two-way communication between management and staff to understand issues and identify solutions.
  • Remember that a basic system/server re-boot can solve a number of problems, without the need to call in the experts
  • Look at how information technology and any changes introduced within the business have affected: employee support structures, requirements for skills refreshing, pressure for faster or better performance
  • Communication, open-door policies, and good leadership are key factors to minimizing stress at work.