Is going to work, hazardous to your health?

Someone told me the other day, that going to work was killing her. Although she was in a viable position in a well known company, she was falling apart from the strain of trying to cope with the demands of her job. Out of exasperation she told me, "Mary, going to work is hazardous to my health. It is killing me slowly!"

This prompted me to ponder if going to work can be hazardous to one's health. Yes my friends, it can be hazardous to your health, especially if you work in an organisation that places more value on its productivity and the management of information, than it does on it's staff.

How will work be hazardous?

1) Well, to meet the expectations of the 'Management ',  the employees will compete with one another by putting in longer hours to increase production. Some will even be forced to put in or even coerced into putting in longer hours.

2) Some will manipulate their colleagues for their own benefit.

3) Some may even carry tales about their colleagues in order to be esteemed highly by their employers.

4) Some will even have to eat their meals at improper times or not eat at all. Thus becoming critical, complaining and eventually ending up with gastric ulcers and a negative working environment. 

In this mad race to increase production and to climb the ladder, jealousy, dissension, strife, anger and hatred among colleagues will ensue. All these feelings will cause undue stress, high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke and ulcers will erupt. The staff will turn out to be complainers and critics of the management.

Now do you get the big picture? Going to work in the above situation is definitely hazardous to your health.

On the other hand if the organisation you are working in, places more emphasis on the climate of the working environment and shows a keen interest in the personhood of each employee, then everyone will feel like family rather than a subordinate. Those working in this kind of environment will be self motivated, passionate about what they do and will co-operate with each other. Then truly work will be blissful rather than a hazard.

Not everyone is as fortunate as me. I am blessed to be working in a school where the school leaders and KP's care for each individual and the welfare of the whole person. Every programme is specially created and organised for the individual needs of the pupils and staff. Every need is looked into, mental, emotional and physical. All staff, be they teachers, admin staff or OSO's are treated fairly and with love and compassion. The staff in my school care and share with one another just like family members do. This then filled my heart with grattitude.

I want everyone to be blessed as I am. You too can be happy and enjoy your work, if you start with yourself.  You can begin by creating the safe atmosphere for others who work with you and around you, instead of expecting the organisation to create a safe environment for you. Be a giver, not a taker. Give! Give of yourself until it hurts. That is real giving. Only then will you receive a great measure shaken together and pressed down to overflowing. That is a promise of God to us in the bible. Ask, "What can I do to help others, how can I create a peaceful and plesant atmosphere," instead of asking, "What is the organisation going to do to make the working environment friendly and condusive for me?".

Remember the organisation is made up of people like you and me. We are the hands and legs, eyes, ears and mouth of the organisation. What we do and say will greatly impact the organisation we work in. We have to stop being reactive and begin to be more proactive. Thus we will be able to create a positive and caring working environment.

When this becomes a reality and you are asked, "Is going to work hazardous to your health?" You can safely reply, "Definitely, not, because I create the atmosphere I want, around me".

So, my dear friends, I wish you a very happy working life. God bless.

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