Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) Practice Exam

Tension headaches, absenteeism, and erratic behaviors can be signs of what workplace safety hazard?

1. Substance abuse

2. Autoimmune disorders

3. Soft tissue injury

4. Stress

The correct answer is: Stress

The correct choice is stress, as it is commonly associated with various negative outcomes in the workplace, including tension headaches, absenteeism, and erratic behaviors. Stress can arise from multiple factors in a work environment, such as workload, deadlines, interpersonal conflicts, or lack of job security, and it can significantly affect an employee's mental and physical well-being. High levels of stress can manifest in various ways, including physical symptoms like headaches, decreased productivity leading to increased absenteeism, and changes in behavior that may be perceived as erratic. Other options like substance abuse or autoimmune disorders may present similar symptoms but are more specific conditions that do not broadly encompass the general impact of stress in the workplace. Soft tissue injury typically relates to physical injuries and does not correlate with the behavioral and mental health symptoms mentioned in the question.