Some pressure is part of many jobs, but ongoing stress can affect concentration, energy, sleep, mood, and safety. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health describes job stress as harmful physical and emotional responses that can occur when job requirements do not match a worker’s capabilities, resources, or needs.
Managing stress is not only about becoming more resilient. Workload, scheduling, training, staffing, supervision, safety, and workplace culture can all contribute. Individual coping strategies can help, but workplace concerns may also need workplace solutions.
Notice what is changing
Stress does not look the same for everyone. You may notice irritability, worry, difficulty concentrating, low motivation, fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, sleep problems, or changes in how you interact with others. A demanding shift or difficult week does not automatically mean something is seriously wrong, but repeated patterns deserve attention.
Pause and ask what is driving the pressure. Is the issue workload, unclear priorities, schedule changes, insufficient training, conflict, unsafe conditions, emotional demands, or a lack of recovery time? Naming the source makes it easier to decide what support may help.
Communicate about the work itself
When possible, speak with a supervisor or the appropriate ShareSTAFF representative before a concern becomes unmanageable. Focus on specific conditions and the effect on the work.
Example: “I am covering three urgent priorities with the same deadline. Can we review which one should come first and whether any work can be reassigned?”
Example: “The schedule has changed several times this week, and I am concerned about getting enough rest before the next shift. Who should I speak with about the schedule?”
A specific request—priority clarification, training, a schedule discussion, equipment, or help accessing a resource—is easier to act on than saying only that work is stressful.
Use breaks and recovery time intentionally
Follow the employer’s break, scheduling, and timekeeping policies. When a break is available, use part of it to step away from the immediate task, hydrate, eat, stretch, breathe, or connect briefly with someone supportive. Small resets do not solve an unhealthy work environment, but they can help you recover during a demanding day.
Outside work, protect the basics as much as your circumstances allow: sleep, regular meals, movement, time away from work communication, and activities or relationships that help you feel grounded.
Take fatigue seriously
Long hours and irregular or rotating shifts can contribute to fatigue. OSHA notes that fatigue can reduce alertness and increase safety risks. If you feel too fatigued to perform work safely, follow the site’s safety procedures and raise the concern promptly. Do not use shortcuts, skip required protective measures, or operate equipment when doing so would be unsafe.
Use available support
Depending on the employer or assignment, resources may include a supervisor, human resources, an employee assistance program, occupational health, a safety team, a union representative, a benefits provider, or your ShareSTAFF contact. Ask what resources are available and how to access them.
If a health condition may be affecting your ability to participate in work or the employment process, qualified individuals may have rights related to reasonable accommodation. Because individual circumstances and legal requirements vary, speak with the appropriate employer contact or consult an authoritative resource such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Report safety concerns through the proper channel
Stress and fatigue can be connected to unsafe conditions. Report hazards, injuries, threats, or unsafe work practices using the employer’s established procedure and contact your ShareSTAFF representative when applicable. OSHA provides information about workers’ rights and how to raise safety concerns.
Know when to seek professional or urgent help
If stress is persistent, worsening, or interfering with daily life, consider speaking with a qualified healthcare or mental health professional. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services. In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text for crisis support.
Wellbeing supports sustainable performance
Caring for your wellbeing is not separate from doing good work. Clear priorities, adequate support, recovery, safe conditions, and honest communication all help people perform more consistently. Start with the concern you can name, identify the person or resource that can help, and take the next practical step.
Important: This article provides general educational information and is not medical, mental health, safety, or legal advice. Follow your employer’s policies and seek qualified support for your individual circumstances.