Demands become problematic when the level of demand exceeds the individual’s ability to meet those demands, or when they become intolerable. Job demands are likely to provoke fear of failing to achieve organizational goals, therefore leading to anxiety. Causes of this include:

1. Time demands: Unrealistic or excessive time demands can cause stress, fatigue and exhaustion.
2. Cognitive demands: Although workers like to have challenging and stimulating work, sustained mental demands can be exhausting.
3. Emotional demands: Some types of work can be inherently emotionally demanding.
4. Physical demands: physically demanding work can result in fatigue, and a range of health conditions including musculoskeletal problems.