Your Workplace Stress Questions Answered

CMI chief Ruth Spellman, and other CMI managers, have been answering questions all afternoon on the Guardian Careers website.  So far there have been some excellent questions asked, with a summary of them below.  Click the users name to get to the CMI's answer.

Emma Kay
"I am really passionate about my job and always try to do everything to the best of my ability.

However I sometimes (most of the time) find it really difficult to switch off when I’m out of work.

I seem to wake up in the middle of the night thinking about work issues and it’s really eating into my relaxation time and my sleep.  I know it’s counterproductive but I don’t know what do.

How do I get a work/ life balance?"

WorkBunny
"The organisation I work for has a really long hours culture. It's very common for people to come in early, stay late, work weekends and so on. My problem is that while I am very willing to put in the extra hours when necessary and when my workload requires it, working extra hours is becoming a norm, not an exception. I feel under pressure as a result, and when I do leave on time, I worry that all those people staying behind are thinking badly of me for doing so and sometimes this can create tensions. Am I in the wrong for not wanting to give up my free time? What can I do?"

AnnaElise
"I've had a health scare recently and am having to take a lot of time off work to have tests and doctors appointments. My company have said that this ok, but I'm falling behind with work, and there have been a few comments made about me not finishing my work on time. I know that legally they can't fire me, but in the current climate, I'm worried that they could find a reason to make me redundant. What can I do to keep up with my workload and protect my job?" 

BunnyWork
"I'm finding it hard to take my allocated holidays because of work commitments but have been told I will lose them if I don;t. I'm just going round in circles. What would you advise?"

MusicPlayer992
I am about to be given a blackberry but am worried that it is going to prevent me from seperating my free time from work. Am i within my rights to refuse it or do you think this will reflect badly and look as though I'm not dedicated enough?

EJCallow
I have worked for companies before where I've noticed one or more of my colleagues suffering from stress because of their workloads and the constant time pressures on tasks. In those situations, I suppose most people might just try talking to their colleagues directly to ask whether they think they're doing too much at work. However, because stress and pressure is sometimes shrugged off and not dealt with seriously, would you recommend taking action on a higher level - eg, talking to their manager to point out that you think they're taking on too much work, and seeing whether they're aware?