How Your Working Environment May Be Affecting Your Health
People go to work every day to earn money and accomplish a set of goals in their life. They may have many hopes and dreams that would like to meet, places they would like to visit, and want a particular lifestyle that they can be proud of. But what these people don’t realize is the problems associated with their working environment or conditions.
It’s a horrible thing that working people have to worry about their health on top of the workload they have to finish, and many other problems. That is why many people hire lawyers and professionals to get justice if their job caused a major health problem for them and other employees.
There are tons of ways your office’s structure, people, and other things may be impacting your health horribly. Here are some details of these issues.
Problems That May Affect Your Mind
Stress
Stress has become a very common thing in the work environment. No matter what your profession is, there are bound to be many stressful times in your work life. It may be daily, weekly, or might be a monthly thing.
Whether your clients are bothering, you aren’t getting enough work, you are behind on your targets, or something else, it’s incredibly crucial that you don’t stress yourself. The stress will only decrease your productivity and lead to other problems. It might even make the already bad matters worse.
Discrimination
As much as people would like it to be over, there is still a lot of discrimination in every part of life. Especially in the business world. People get denied opportunities because of their color, backgrounds, gender, and beliefs, among other things.
You may be overlooked for a promotion, denied extra benefits for your level, or get rejected for a career forwarding opportunity, among other things. But it’s important to stay strong and fight the power, professionally and legally. You can take the case to HR, and then a lawyer if the human resources aren’t able to provide much help.
Harassment
Similar to discrimination, workplace harassment is also extremely common. Unfortunately, many women are sexually harassed by men that are at a more senior level, and they think they will get fired if they say anything.
Many women also get verbally harassed by their peers every day in the offices. The problem doesn’t stop with women, even men are harassed by females who are superior to them. The harassment directly affects a person’s mind and lowers their confidence, among other things.
Fortunately, many laws are governing this. You can go straight to your company’s HR department and file a complaint against the person. To further escalate the matter, you can even go to a lawyer who can help fight the disgusting people who engage in these kinds of heinous acts.
Depression
A very significant, but mostly overlooked cause of working is depression. It can destroy a person’s morale, spirit, and affect other parts of life. Depression is often caused by a collection of things. Problems at work, piled up next to the issues in personal life can lead to depression.
If you have been feeling down for some time now, know that there are others out there struggling with similar things. It might not feel like it, but things will turn out alright. You should take some time off or talk to a professional. You might even be eligible for free therapy sessions, as your company might take care of the bills.
Hazards That Can Be Caused By the Office Building Structure
Exposure to Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that was previously used in building materials, and is currently being utilized to manufacture paints along with several other products. Although this mineral is fantastic for these purposes, the problem arises when the manufactured material starts to deteriorate.
The building’s walls may then be exposing everyone there to the asbestos, which can be very harmful to inhale. You might not realize it at first. But it can cause many health problems, and even a type of cancer named mesothelioma.
There are several symptoms of long term exposure to the mineral. If you feel like you have any illnesses related to asbestos exposure in the workplace, then you can file a Mesothelioma Lawsuit.
You have to be careful because it doesn’t have any smell, and people don’t really feel anything while inhaling it.
Unhealthy Air
Many things are commonly used around the office that can significantly pollute the internal air that everyone breathes. The cleaning supplies have chemicals that can be toxic to health when breathed in. The air fresheners are usually not of the best quality and release chemicals for everyone to inhale. There are also numerous other sources of air pollution that most people are unaware of.
If your company does not use organic products, then chances are you might be breathing the chemicals as well. To make things better, you can do a little research on plant species and figure out the best one that can clean the air along with giving off a lovely scent. You can then prepare a presentation for your management and present the idea, along with why there is a need. Alternatively, you could get a small potted plant and keep on your table.
Improper Ventilation
Many offices are entirely surrounded by walls and glass on all sides. That means there is barely any ventilation for the employees working inside.
There may be hundreds of people working in cubicles on one floor, and several other offices as well. This many people can make the area feel suffocated and small.
If you are ever feeling shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or suffocation, among other symptoms, then it would be best to leave immediately. You need to get medical assistance if required as well. You can get compensated for the medical bills related to work.
Issues That Can Affect Your Overall Health
Accidental Injuries
No matter what the place of work is, numerous injuries can happen at any time.
If you work at a construction site, there is plenty of machinery and equipment around that can cause severe injuries. Even if all the gear is properly kept and used, there are chances of a nail stabbing your body, you tripping over something, or any other accident. A similar thing can happen to workers in the manufacturing industries.
Even if you are in an office building, a faulty structure could fall on you, or your chair can get damaged, causing injuries, among countless other possibilities.
That is why you need to be very safe, no matter the profession and workplace. You should also get educated on the workers‘ compensation laws in your state, just in case something happens and you’re in a difficult situation.
Body Aches from Long Working Hours
The long working hours of any job can lead to a high number of difficulties and problems, no matter what the profession is.
If your job includes standing for significant periods, it can cause damage to your feet, legs, back, and other body parts. You might always feel tired and body pain. Over time, it can be very harmful to your body.
If your job includes sitting down in one spot for a long time, then you might experience neck strain and back problems almost all the time. Depending on what you do sitting down, your wrists might get damaged, fingers might be strained, and shoulders might hurt, along with other things.
You need to figure out more accessible ways to make the working conditions better. You could use a pillow, ergonomic chair, and other things to make it easy to sit for a long time. You can also try to find ways to lessen the strain on your body.
Unhealthy Eating Habits Due To Less Time
With a lot of work, there are many moments where a worker might indulge in fatty and junk foods. It might be due to a lack of time or personal preferences. But these unhealthy eating habits can lead to a lot of health problems. Not to mention weight gain.
If you are also struggling to find time for preparing and eating healthy meals, then consider hiring the services of a meal prepping service. They can deliver healthy prepared meals at economical prices.
You also need to make some time to stay fit. It can even be as long as 20 to 30 minutes a day, at your home, or a fitness club. It will make a world of difference.
Commute
Commuting is another significant problem that many people face. If you live nearby, then you probably don’t feel the effects.
If you don’t, then you might have to ride the bus, train, taxi, or personal vehicle to work. You need to figure out methods to make your daily commute easier on your body. It might also help to switch between forms every once in a while.