THE IMPACT OF STRESS AT WORKING ENVIRONMENT

 

THE IMPACT OF STRESS AT WORKING ENVIRONMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1 (Imtiaz and Ahmad, 2009)

Workers' mental health is also harmed by workplace stress, with an increased risk of anxiety, burnout, depression, and drug abuse disorders. Stressed workers are more likely to indulge in unhealthy behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, and bad eating habits. Stressful situation can occur when an employee realize that requirement of a situation is larger than what they can handle and when those situations continue for longer period. (Welford A, 1973)

 

COMMON TYPES OF STRESS

1.     Acute Stress:-

E.g.:- Emotional distress, Muscle tension, Headache, Back pain, Stomach upset

2.     Episodic acute stress

E.g.:- Irritability, Unintended hostility, Relationship problems

3.     Chronic Stress

E.g.:- Heart diseases, Damage nervous system

 

WORK PLACE STRESSORS

1. Physical: - e.g.:-Noise, Poor lighting, Poor office, Work Layout and bad working postures

2. Psychosocial:-e.g.:- High job demands, Inflexible working hours, Poor job control, Poor work design and structure, bullying and job insecurity.

 

SIGNS OF STRESS IN TEAMS

·       Arguments between employees and employer

·       Higher staff turnover

·       More reports of stress

·       More sickness absence

·       Decreased performance

·       More complaints and grievances

 

SIGNS OF STRESS IN A WORKER

·       Take more time off

·       Arrive for work later

·       Be more nervous

·       Mood swings

·       Being withdrawn

·       Loss of motivation, commitment and confidence

·       Increased emotional reaction

 

CAUSES OF STRESS AT WORK

There are 6 main areas related for stress

Ø  Demands: - are unable to cope with the demands of their occupations.

Ø  Control: - are unable to regulate the manner in which they do their duties.

Ø  Support: - do not receive adequate information and support.

Ø  Relationship:- are having problems at work with relationships or are being bullied

Ø  Role:- don't fully comprehend their tasks and roles

Ø  Change:- are not involved when a company undergoes a transformation

 

WORKPLACE STRESS RELIEF STRATEGIES

Ø  Redesign the work environment

Ø  Providing breaks and nap- times for employees

Ø  Employee involvement in decision and work planning should be improved.

Ø  Increasing the amount of time and resources available to complete specified work responsibilities

Ø  Job descriptions and employee abilities and qualifications should be matched

Ø  Creating a clear path for promotion and reward

Ø  Getting rid of physical dangers

Ø  Substituting with safer equipment and technology

Ø  Putting in place control mechanisms to prevent worker exposure to workplace risks

Ø  Encouragement of the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Ø  Providing training for employees

Ø  Routine health surveillance.

 

 CONCLUSION

Employee health and productivity are harmed by workplace stress, which is a subtle and often-ignored element. It not only has an impact on employees, but it also has a big impact on a company's overall success. Employers should take steps to address this troubling issue in order to promote a better, safer, and more productive workplace.

 

 

REFERENCES

Welford, A (1973) Stress and performance, Ergonometric 16(5):567-575

Imtiaz, S. and Ahmad, S., 2009. Impact of stress on employee productivity, performance and turnover; an important managerial issue. International Review of Business Research Papers, 5(4), pp.468-477.