What typically causes role stress among employees?

Role stress typically arises from pressures related to job role expectations. When employees are faced with unclear or conflicting expectations about their responsibilities, it can create significant anxiety and confusion. This stress often manifests when there is a mismatch between what employees believe they are supposed to achieve and the actual demands placed upon them.

Unrealistic expectations, rapid changes in job roles, or insufficient guidance can all contribute to this pressure. As employees strive to meet these expectations, they may feel overwhelmed, leading to decreased job satisfaction and productivity. Therefore, pressures related to job role expectations are a significant factor in creating role stress in the workplace.

While other factors like inflexible work hours or communication delays can contribute to workplace pressure, they do not directly target the core issue of role clarity and expectations as strongly as the pressures regarding job roles do. High levels of autonomy can, in fact, reduce role stress for some individuals, as they may appreciate more control over how they meet their role expectations.