Stress at work

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Tuesday at 10am is most stressful time of week

Half of British employees pin-pointed mid-morning on Tuesday as their 'stress peak' - when their workload becomes 'too much' and they start to crumble under the pressure.

The (1) most/majority of workers said they coast through Monday getting their brain in gear and *catch up with gossip from the weekend and (2) discussing/speaking TV shows they've watched.

But on Tuesday reality sets in and staff spend the very first part of the day *going through emails they ignored on Monday before planning the week (3) forward/ahead.

And they're faced with a mountain of a to-do list to tackle and struggle with their boss' demands or impending deadlines.

A spokesman for leading recruitment agency Michael Page, which (4) made/carried out the research of 3,000 Brits, said: ''It seems our jobs are the biggest cause of stress in our lives - even little things like the computer freezing - is enough to get us *worked up.

''Whether we feel over-worked, are neck deep in paper or just battling a to-do list which seems never-ending, we are all in in agreement when we hit our melting point.

''It's worrying (5) such a / a so large number of us are under (6) so many/so much pressure from bosses and there not being (7) enough hours/hours enough in the day that we go home and have an alcoholic drink to recover.

''But it is encouraging to see we are *taking steps to improve our working lives, with people making it a New Year's resolution to get out of their (8) actual/current job.''

The study of office workers aged between 18 and 45 quizzed respondents on their level of stress throughout the typical working week.

It found a quarter regularly feel stressed at work and for three quarters of workers they regularly come to *the end of their tether by 11.16am each day.

But one in five find it gets too much before nine o'clock.

Four in ten blamed heavy workloads and a third (9) said/told dealing with difficult clients or customers left them feeling frazzled.

Yet three in ten admitted it was their boss which caused them tension in the office and one in six blamed their colleagues for (10) not/don't listening to their cries for help.

Source: The Telegraph 

You will notice you have to choose the correct option (1-10) to complete the text.

What is your most stressful time of the week?

Phrasal Verbs:

"They coast through Monday getting their brain in gear and catch up with gossip from the weekend."

catch up: when you have missed something and you need to discover what happened.

• I have been off work for two weeks. I will need to catch up on all what's been happening in my absence.
• I've missed 4 episodes of my favourite series. I have a lot of catching up to do.

"Staff spend the very first part of the day going through emails they ignored on Monday."

 go through: to examine sinething carefully

• I'd like to go through the report with you again. There were a couple of points that I didn't fully understand.
• I have been through all my pockets but I still can't find my keys.

"Even little things like the computer freezing - is enough to get us worked up"

 work up: to feel upset or strong emotion

• Try not to work yourself up about the exams. You will pass without any problems.
• He gets so worked up about things. He needs to learn to take things easy.

Idioms:

"Three quarters of workers regularly come to the end of their tether by 11.16am each day."

at the end of your tether: when you do't have any strength or patience left.

• I am at the end of my tether. I really don't know how to get these kids to behave.
• Be careful! I'm reaching the end of my tether with you.

"It is encouraging to see we are taking steps to improve our working lives."

take steps: to do what is necessary to prevent something.

• The government is taking steps to ensure that such a thing never happens again.
• We need to take steps now to minimise the effects of climate change.