If you are a lawyer, registered nurse, public relations manager or police detective, research shows that you have more stress in your life due to higher levels of work-life conflict. The rest of us? We should just quit our belly-aching!
Well, the The Journal of Applied Psychology article didn’t say EXACTLY that.
According to the recap in The Washington Post, those jobs were found to require high levels of interaction and also carry responsibility for the work quality, safety and output of others. “Your resources are drained dealing with people,” said Erich Dierdorff, DePaul professor and study co-author. The DePaul University press release announcing the study (perhaps written by one of those over-stressed public relations managers) underscored the point: the authors observed that “high levels of interaction at work may lead to increased fatigue and depletion of personal resources needed to fulfill family role obligations.”
Well, duh!
It’s dealing with people, particularly colleagues and bosses, that is so exhausting, not the actual tasks. And after a stressful day of butting heads at work, who hasn’t flopped on the couch, ordered Chinese food, and spent the evening zoning out with the latest TiVo’d shows? What laundry? What kids?
Those “Take Me Away Calgon” days are not exclusive to lawyers, registered nurses, public relations managers and police detectives, honorable professions all.
Wise Hubby used to express his envy of people who work at McDonald’s. “At least they don’t have to take their work home with them (physically or mentally).” I would point out that no mater where you work, there are political and interpersonal conflicts that drag you down. Irritation at who gets the better shifts or gossip about who got stuck at the drive-through. Frustration with the slowness or incompetence of co-workers. Drama and intrigue about who is over-salting the fries.
What are the energy drains at your work? Do you find yourself distracted by those grievances when you’re not at work? What work-related issues should researchers tackle next?
2-26-2009 08:01:00
This ‘misery loves company’ post was welcome for me as I contemplate voodoo dolls to relieve some of the daily pressure of my job.
On those particularly bad days dealing with the barking boss, countless screw ups, and pressures of a business on a steep downward trajectory I try to keep it in perspective in order of priority:
I have a wonderful husband & healthy thriving kids
I am healthy
My parents are alive and well
The job is farther down the list
2-26-2009 20:10:47
Charlotte’s comment truly says it all. In the midst of the most horrific crisis for print journalists everywhere, I’m still counting my blessings. It’s not easy, but I do. I was out to lunch with two other professional writers today, and after we mourned our dying newspapers AND the fact that four of our favorite magazines had just folded this week, we still have our families and our health.
2-27-2009 11:27:58
I am a social worker in a direct service environment. I work with clients each day and try to squeeze in my administrative work as I can. I had an extremely busy month. In addition, I am planning a major event on which I spend many hours, some gratis. I was feeling really great about my work until I got a call from my manager this morning (my day off) about a matter that upset me. It could have easily have waited until Monday. I know that supervisors aren’t perfect, and I generally feel supported.
There are days that I walk in the house and can’t even talk on the phone, I am so mentally exhausted. I am thankful my children are grown and I don’t have to parent on empty. All you wise women who work and juggle the multiple balls of parenthood deserve support. Don’t forget self care, because you are the foundation on which all those you care for balance.