Office: Unacknowledged work and commitment causes stress

If skills in the workplace are not recognized, this could lead to real chronic stress.

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Stress at work: how important is the approval of others? More than you think, especially if you consider that a clear difference is made by an "official" recognition of one's commitment by colleagues and superiors. If this is missing, the worker can suffer from chronic stress.

This is the conclusion reached by the Dutch researchers of the Eindhoven University of Technology that if skills in the workplace are not recognized, this could lead to a malaise which could also go beyond the more “classic” psychological pressures deriving from too much work or from occupying tasks of greater responsibility.

The study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology, in particular, aims to examine the relationship between physiological indicators of stress, such as thestress hormone called "cortisol", and psychological indicators, such as the perception of stress, to make a sort of analysis of the health of employees and their work performance.

Cortisol is also called the "stress hormone" because the body increases its production precisely in conditions of psycho-physical stress and with its action it is able to inhibit unnecessary bodily functions in the short term and support the functions of vital organs.

A high cortisol value can be triggered both by pathological causes, such as an excessive functioning of the thyroid gland, and by non-pathological causes, such as too intense sporting activity. In certain situations it is of great help, but when its levels remain high for a prolonged time, it is called chronicity.

The researchers compared the cortisol levels and stress levels of 91 people during a work week with those of 81 people who, in addition to the office, also had to attend a career development course.

The results showed that it is the commitment that one puts into a job compared to the reward obtained in terms of recognition seems to be the main determinant of stress in the workplace, but only among people who have particularly high workloads and long hours.

“When you like your job and want to do well, but don't get any promotions or salary increases, this cocktail leads to a high level of cortisol - explain the authors. So of chronic stress ".

Is seeking the approval of others really important? If this translates into stress in the office and no reward, even and why not in economic terms, of course it is. While it is true that in our lives each of us should never expect anyone to say that if we are doing the right thing, the workplace is a little different and the fine line of just merit is always there to point out our due. In short, positive opinion counts.

Besides, isn't it true that less stress generates more happiness and that more happiness makes you more productive? So, courage, employers and colleagues, let us recognize the value, commitment and tenacity of those who are at work!