When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Yes, we agree. But, what happens if the tough try to go, but the going gets tougher, almost impossible? Before you loose yourself in this tangle of words, let us rescue you, from the Lucifer in your lives. Every employee, irrespective of his/her educational caste, creed, breed or race, has felt trapped in a demanding situation at work, at some point or the other in his/her life. Whether the trap was set up or incidentally placed, we have suffered considerably, probably, enough also to set us back a notch or two.
With careers becoming more demanding than mom-in-laws, studies have revealed the various anxieties that hamper an individuals work potential. To avoid these anxieties, as experts point out, we need to take a deep look at their root cause: traps at work, that run havoc with our emotions and consequently with our job.
The oddball
We have encountered several people who believed that no opportunity should be left unutilised. Sure. But, if the opportunity does not suit you? Believes Atul Arora, an unemployed professional at the moment, “I took a job which did not suit my job profile at all, because I was afraid that no opportunity would come my way. Moreover, the fear of being jobless and consequently becoming the target of my friends’ mockery convinced me to take this job.” But, a few weeks into the job, and Atul realised his mistake. Not being able to perform to their potential and emotional stress are a few symptoms, of a particular job not suitable for you. Does yours too?
In a constant
Even if we manage to find the perfect job, our career graph may not always be a pleasant visual. Believes Sudarshan Rajgopalan, an employee with Hewlett-Packward Globalsoft Ltd., “At times, employees sink into depression or a state of half-baked functioning because they don’t see their career heading anywhere. Such a constant level, or impasse’ can greatly dampen the working skills of a professional.” In such matters, believes Kathie Elster, a renowned Harvard trained psychotherapist, “It is important that you chart out your career goal specifics with your boss. Such a plan helps both of you get the maximum out of your synergy.”
Been victimised?
Unfortunately, a vast majority of the employee population agree in total, of being in this category of job-traps. The trap may have been courtesy your senior, junior or colleague, but it affects the entire work-process laterally. The natural reaction is to get frustrated or doing vent outs through backbiting. But, this is not the appropriate solution. Employees should make the effort to become more responsible, and steer their own actions. On the other hand, managers can assure that a culture of harmony and self-duty entails in the office.
Tired of traps
Burn out or energy drainage is the latest virus to affect employees and businesses. With demanding hours and excessive workloads taking their toll, employees are languishing the once available, simple joys of a simple life. Believes Rajgopalan, “Increasing employee burn-out rates are affecting companies adversely. To ensure that the phenomenon is nipped in the bud, necessary efforts must be initiated.”
Reacting to the same, many companies have introduced tools to help the employees remain refreshed. Whereas major IT companies are focussing on the dietary and fitness habits of their employees, many have introduced health bars at their premises. Some have even gone ahead and created stress-bursting zones.
With both the employee and the employer, finding innovative ways to ward off traps, it is time, we must first recognise the initiation of such traps. After all, as granny always said, a stitch in time, saves nine!
