Stress

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."

	When I returned to my office from a meeting yesterday, my desk chair was missing. I was told that a particular employee needed it for a meeting down the hall. This was a big aggravation and waste of time for me. I told her I was upset, but she did not seem to think it was a big deal. What should I do next? Read Ken's Answer
	To deal with the stresses and anxieties that many of us are sensing, management brought in an expert. We thought this was a good idea, but all this expert did was lecture us. Granted he had a few insights, but most of us ended up feeling dissatisfied. What is your opinion of this program? Read Ken's Answer
	A year ago, my boss hired "Joe" to help me with my workload. Joe gets along well with the boss, but everyone else in the office is afraid of him. He has a violent temper and swears constantly. When someone talks nicely to him, he'll make a violent threat like, "How about I smash your head in with a sledgehammer?" I told my boss that we don't feel safe with Joe working here, but he refuses to do anything. In fact, he thinks the whole situation is funny. Should I search for a job elsewhere before Joe gets totally out of hand? Read Ken's Answer
	I have been told that some of my employees have personal financial problems, especially credit cards that are maxed-out and at high interest rates. These same employees seem very stressed, and I am seeing problems with their work. As their manager, is there anything I can be doing to help them? Read Ken's Answer
	I am looking for a job, and I get very nervous and stressed before every interview, and then I don't present myself as well as I could. Are there some ways to eliminate this nervousness? Read Ken's Answer
	I am at my wit's end. I have never worked so hard in my life, never put in so many hours, and never been so frustrated on the job. I feel like I am unappreciated by management, getting nowhere, and on one big treadmill. I'm ready to leave, but the thought of a change is a little scary to me. Do you have any suggestions? Read Ken's Answer
	I always thought I wanted to be in a management position, and I was promoted into one a few months ago. I haven't told anyone, but I don't like it. I want my old job back, but I'm concerned about what my manager will think. What should I do? Read Ken's Answer
	Since our new boss arrived, I cannot believe how many mistakes I have been making. He must think I am not a good employee, but that's not true. Should I talk to him about this, or just focus on my work and try to work better? Read Ken's Answer
	My manager considers herself to be an artist, and she hung two of her paintings in her office. She asked me what I thought of them, and I sort of overstated my feelings, and now she wants me to buy one. I don't want one, but I don't want to upset her. How do I get out of this? Read Ken's Answer
	I am employed at a very reputable company as an administrative coordinator. Up until recently, I enjoyed my job immensely. However, my new boss is extremely demanding, every voice mail message is urgent, and she often produces last-minute assignments. I was astonished when she called me into the office and said that if I can't keep up with the pace, maybe I should look for another position in the company. I'm not sure how to handle this situation. Read Ken's Answer
	I am the manager of the business office, and for some reason, there has been a rash of accidents lately. This is not a dangerous place, but people are tripping, spilling things, and cutting themselves far too often. What do you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	I am a young, salaried professional, and I am concerned about the long hours that I am putting in at work. As demanding as it is, I like my job, but I am stressed out because it is destroying my relationship with my fiancÈ. I want both, but I am thinking that's impossible. What are your thoughts? Read Ken's Answer
	I am being considered for a promotion, and I feel flattered about this. The problem, and I don't like to admit it, is that I am nervous about my ability to handle the position. Do you have any suggestions for a person in my situation? Read Ken's Answer
	I work for a large company in the customer relations department, and I receive many complaints from angry customers. Some of the callers become extremely irate and resort to verbal abuse and profanity. Our company policy is to continue the call even if it becomes a personal threat. Failure to adhere to this policy can result in disciplinary action, including termination. What do you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	Two years ago, I was making frequent mistakes on my job. I was put on probation and made a great deal of progress. I have been off probation for about a year, but on the rare occasion when I make a mistake, my supervisor writes me up and tells me that my performance is still unacceptable and I haven't learned anything. What can I do to stop being written up? Read Ken's Answer
	I have an employee who does a good job, but all of us have to walk on eggs when we deal with her. If something goes differently from what she wants, she can instantly become very difficult. How do you deal with someone like this? Read Ken's Answer
	Whenever I meet with my manager, I get nervous. I'll start talking, and then he throws curveballs. I get flustered and make mistakes, and then the meeting ends and I have made another poor impression on him. What's the best way to prevent this from happening? Read Ken's Answer
	One of our senior managers went to a management seminar and was told that carbohydrates cause the brain to produce serotonin, and that reduces stress. Now he is putting out high carbohydrate snacks such as crackers, pretzels, and chips. What do you think of this as a way to reduce job stress? Read Ken's Answer
	I left my previous employer two years ago because my work was within my area of expertise, but not in my area of interest. My current job started out with work that I enjoy, but now most of my assignments are just like the awful assignments on my previous job. This company emphasizes being a team player, and if I say anything, I could create problems for myself. What should I do? Read Ken's Answer
	I am over 50 and I despise my job. It makes me tense and upset every day, and the problem is that I am stuck. The pay and benefits are good, and I know it will be very tough to find anything like this at my age. What do you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	I am getting totally stressed out by my job. I feel tense all the time because of the workload and time pressures, and my manager just keeps pouring more on me. I have jumped around in many jobs over the past few years, and I don’t want to quit. What can you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	My job is very stressful, and when I’m stressed, I feel like I can’t stop eating. I don’t know how to properly deal with all the pressure at work. Any suggestions? Read Ken's Answer
	I have to drive with a coworker for 3 hours each day, 15 hours a week. I have been forced to hear all about her dysfunctional/abusive childhood. So as an adult, she is 54 years old, she is, well, dysfunctional. She twists the truth, and will embellish a story to the point of lying. Help! I am worn out having to listen to her. I have applied for three other jobs, asked at work to be transferred and have run out of patience. Now she is focusing her drama at me. I made the mistake of mentioning that her eating onions and garlic daily, (she claims it is "healthy and her thing") makes my nose run because the odor is so strong, and she became offended and said that garlic and onions do not make her breath smell bad and that I must have a auto immune disorder along with severe allergies in order to even smell it. And now she is threatening to go to my boss and tell him about my "dysfunction". I am stunned by her outrageous response. How can I deal with this type of personality? The stress of dealing with her is distracting me when I'm not even at work. Read Ken's Answer