Research has proved that although some jobs by their very nature are more stressful than others, there is no job completely free of stress. However, the structure of a job determines the kind of demands it makes on you. Jobs can be broadly divided into:
1. Routine jobs : These demand repetitive actions. For instance, an assembly line worker, or a signal operator stays at one place. The monotony of the job and it’s alienation, result in stress and accidents.
2. Shift jobs : Jobs of security personnel or even some factory workers can play havoc with their body rhythm, especially if the shift cycles are changed every few days or weeks.
3. Bus or truck drivers or police patrol : These require to drive constantly for long hours and are subjected to immense stress. What makes driving even more demanding is the weather, the traffic, fatigue, the attitude of passengers or other drivers on the road.
- The IT boom: has been the root cause of many stressed professionals. Surviving in this industry means that the computer programmers, technicians, statisticians and entrepreneurs have to keep abreast with the latest information and technology, and be able to use it. Imagine the kind of stress they are subjected to, always plagued by the fear whether they will be able to move as fast as their competitors or not.
- Medical professionals: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and physical therapists all battle against time in healing and saving human lives. Emergencies and having to take quick decisions produce extreme stress in these jobs.
- Media professionals: Deadlines are the reality of journalists, editors, producers and directors. What is news today, is old stuff tomorrow. So they have to constantly dig out news that is interesting and then present it in a readable manner. All this adds to the job pressure.
- Sales professionals: Sales and marketing professionals and advertising executives work constantly under the constraints of demanding deadlines and budgets. They are forever having to prove themselves. This constant ‘proving their worth’ and bettering their last performance can be extremely stressful.
5. Jobs centered around team activity: People-based jobs such as those of human resource managers, social workers, counselors or any manager with a team under them require immense tact and discretion. If you are in such a job, you can often face problems in socializing with your colleagues and risk opposition while taking unpopular descions. Trying to keep the team together and enabling them to perform effectively can be a trying job..
6. Jobs centered around money: In the financial sector, accountants, stockmarket traders, consultants, bank tellers etc. are under tremendous stress, as large sums of money are involved.
