Workplace Stress: Causes & Cures

WORKPLACE STRESS: CAUSES & CURES

INTRODUCTION ÄOccupational

stress is a significant problem that

affects the health of not only individuals but also that of organisations & society.

ÄIt

occurs when there is an imbalance between the

demand posed by a particular work environment & the perceived capability of the employee to meet the demand.

DEFINITION ÄTaber’s

Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary defines

stress as “The result produced when a structure, system or organism is acted upon by forces that disrupt equilibrium or produce strain.”

Ä ÄJob

Stress can be defined as “The harmful

physical & emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. Job

IMPACT OF STRESS ÄOccupational global

Stress is a

phenomenon

that

results in heavy costs to individuals, companies or organisations society.

&

the

AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL: ØDevastating effect on the physical & mental health ØLoss of capacity to cope with challenging work & social situations ØAffect concentration & focus on work, leading to poor performance ØLeads to a variety of disorders & illness & also abusive

habits

like

excessive

smoking,

drinking,

drugs, etc. ØLeads to extreme consequences like depression,

AT ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL: ØProductivity & efficiency of the organisation ØIncreased absenteeism on account of sickness, higher medical expenses, drop in performance due to low motivational levels Øhigh labour turnover ØAssociated recruitment & training costs Ø

INTERNAL STRESSORS Arise from the individual’s perception of threat from the environment

CLASSIFICATION: üTime stress – arising out of pressure on account of deadlines to be met üSituational Stress – that occurs when a person is caught in unpleasant situations. üAnticipatory stress – when a person perceives that an impending event is going to be unpleasant & worries about it. üEncounter Stress -

arising out of interpersonal

contacts & work relationships.

EXTERNAL STRESSORS Attributable to the environmental conditions beyond individual’s control

CLASSIFICATION: üPhysical environment – poor lighting conditions, excessive noise levels, etc. üQuality of work – monotony, long hours, unrealistic targets, etc. üRole

ambiguities

–

ambiguous

demands,

value

conflicts, conflicting responsibilities. üRelationship at work – with peers, superiors & subordinates, the way in which managerial authority is exercised, & organizational structure & climate.

WHO IS VULNERABLE TO ØStress affects all categories

STRESS???

of workers – blue collared as well as white collared, young & old, male & female. ØOnly

the

degree

vulnerability varies.

of

Occupations with high stress levels Occupation

Rating scale

Miner

8.3

Police officer

7.7

Prison officer

7.5

Construction worker

7.5

Airline pilot

7.5

Journalist

7.5

Advertising executive

7.3

Dentist

7.3

Actor

7.2

Doctor

6.8

Broadcasting personnel

6.8

Nurse

6.5

Film production crew

6.5

Ambulance personnel

6.3

Musician

6.3

Firefighter

6.3

Teacher

6.2

Social worker

6.0

Personnel manager

6.0

GENDER & WORK ØA survey of 1300 STRESS full time employees of private companies in the United states, found that stress affects women more than men, & that women are more exposed to burnout, stress- related illness & resignation. Ø ØResearch studies conducted in Sweden show that the total workload of women employed part-time is

GAS MODEL

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

PHASE

SIGNS/ SYMPTOMS

Feelings of vague anxiety 1. WARNING depression  Boredom  Apathy  Emotional Fatigue 

Sleep disturbances  Muscle aches  More frequent headache/cold  Irritability  Intensified depression 

2. MILD SYMPTOMS

ACTION

Talking about feelings  Taking a vacation  Taking time for yourself 

More aggressive lifestyle changes may be needed  Short-term counselling 

Depression  Physical & emotional fatigue  Ulcer  Intense Anxiety  Rigid thinking  Restlessness  Sleeplessness 

3. ENTRENCHED CUMULATIVE STRESS

 Asthma Significant intervention  Severe depression from professionals  Uncontrolled anger, grief, rage  Over-reaction to minor events  Frequent Accidents  Carelessness, forgetfulness  Heart Conditions 

4. SEVERE CUMULATIVE STRESS REACTION

The help of medical & psychological professionals is highly recommended 



1.FIRST

STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION & APPROACH – TO TREAT TECHNIQUES

THE

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS:

This involves identifying those suffering from severe stress, & providing health-care & psychological counseling to alleviate them.

2.SECOND APPROACH – TO TAKE STEPS TO BUILD STRESS

MANAGEMENT

SKILLS

IN

THE

INDIVIDUALS: This

can

be

done

through

structured

programs that teach employees time management, relaxation techniques, & also educate them on improving their dietary habits.

3.

THIRD APPROACH – TO REMOVE THE CAUSES OF

STRESSORS

BY

CHANGING

THE

ENVIRONMENT: This requires eliminating or reducing the environmental

stressors

like

excessive

noise,

pollution, etc, modifying the production schedules &

workloads,

setting

realistic

supportive work & family policies.

targets,

having