Workplace anxiety linked to lower job performance

A new study has revealed that anxiety at the workplace can result in lower job performance.

University of Toronto researchers explored the effects of workplace anxiety among officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a national police service and found that high levels of emotional exhaustion that come from workplace anxiety can directly lead to lower job performance.

The study also found that the quality of relationships officers had with their peers and supervisors could help reduce the potentially harmful effects of workplace anxiety.

Researcher Julie McCarthy noted that supervisors and co-workers who provided emotional support by listening to their peers went a long way in fostering a positive work environment.

McCarthy said that their findings highlighted the importance of programs that allowed employees to recover, build resilience and develop strong social support networks in the workplace.

She added that it was crucial to highlight the importance of having strong social support networks not only in high-stress occupations, but in any line of work.

McCarthy hoped that this research would trigger conversations among other organisations about the debilitating effects of a stressed-out workplace and the importance of developing strategies to help workers cope with workplace anxiety.

The study is published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.