STRESS

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way.

These events or demands are known as stressors.

Research findings from WHO (World Health Organization)

• 40% of workers reported their job was very or extremely stressful.

• 25% view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.

• Job stress is more strongly associated with health complaints than financial or family problems.

• 25% have felt like screaming or shouting because of job stress, 10% are concerned about an individual at work they fear could become violent.

• 9% are aware of an assault or violent act in their workplace and 18% had experienced some sort of threat or verbal intimidation

Research Findings

• 19% had quit a previous position because of job stress

• 26% have been driven to tears because of workplace stress.

• 62% routinely find that they end the day with work-related neck pain.

• 44% reported stressed-out eyes.• 38% complained of hurting hands • 34% reported difficulty in sleeping

because they were too stressed-out. • 12% had called in sick because of job stress.

Work Place StressWorkplace stress has a negative impact on

the business as well as on the individual employee. The increase in job stress creates emotional, financial, and safety concerns for employers and managers

The World Health Organization labeled stress a “worldwide epidemic.” Today, workplace stress is estimated to cost companies more than $300 billion a year in poor performance, absenteeism and health costs.

Factors that Lead to Job StressSpecific work factors• Excessive workload.• Tedious or meaningless tasks.• Long hours and low pay.• Infrequent rest breaks.• Unreasonable performance demands

Physical environment• Noise and overcrowding.• Poor air quality.• Ergonomic problems.• Health and safety risks (heavy equipment, toxic chemicals).

Organizational practices• Unclear responsibilities or expectations.• Conflicting job demands.• Multiple supervisors.• Lack of autonomy or participation in decision-

making.• Inefficient communication patterns.• Lack of family-friendly policiesCareer Development • Over Promotion.• Under Promotion• Lack of Job Security• Thwarted ambition.

Workplace change• Fear of layoff.• Frequent personnel turnover.• Lack of preparation for technological changes.• Poor chances for advancement or promotion.• Tensions brought about by greater workplace

diversity.Interpersonal Relationships• Distant, uncommunicative supervisors.• Poor performance from subordinates.• Office politics, competition, and other conflicts

among staff.• Bullying or harassment. • Problems caused by excessive time away from

family.

Sources of Occupational or Job stressJob related stressors

Environment specific• Economic conditions• Increased level of competitions• Market changes• Technological changes• Changes in the production and products• New forms of organization and product development• Drive for greater cost –effectiveness networks.• Multinational• General public concerns for the environment

Organizational Specific• Changes with in the organization• Reorganizations• Layoffs• Organizational structure• Organizational culture, climate• Mergers, acquisitions and similar changes of the

company ownership• Work force diversity• Reward systems• Promotional policies• Job security• Leadership style

Job Specific• Pressure to work for long hours• Job characteristics• Conflicting job demands• Unclear job expectations• Pressure of responsibility• Time pressures• Lack of resources to perform job• Lack of information• Lack of collaboration• Relationships with subordinates• Working conditions• Insufficient training• Work overload• Poor fit between abilities and skills

Individual – Related Stressors.Individual Characteristics• Personality traits• Demographic characteristics• Coping skills.Individual life circumstances • Work/life conflict• Family problems• Personal problems• Social problems• Financial difficulties.

Worker Characteristics that can Cause Job Stress

May Include:1. A Need to be in Control• The worker feels a need to be in control at all times.• The worker views lack of control as a sign of

weakness.• The worker has difficulty delegating assignments to

others.• The worker avoids showing signs of weakness or

nervousness.2. A lack or Perceived lack of Competence• The worker feels his or her work is inferior compared

to others.• The worker feels he or she makes poor judgments.• The worker feels a lack of common sense.• The worker feels doubts about his or her competence

and ability to do the job.

3. A Desire to Please People• The worker relies on favorable opinions and input

from others as a basis for building self-esteem.• The worker fears he or she may disappoint others• The worker cares more about others' needs than his

or her own.• The worker avoids communications and actions that

would displease others.4. A Need to be Perfect (Perfection)• The worker feels under pressure to achieve.• The worker is highly self-critical.• The worker feels a job well done could have

been done  even better.

Signs and Symptoms of stress

Intellectual Symptoms (How stress can affect the Mind)

• Memory problems. • Difficulty making decisions. • Inability to concentrate.• Confusion. • Seeing only the negative.• Repetitive or racing thoughts.  • Poor judgment. • Loss of objectivity.• Desire to escape or run away

Emotional Symptoms :( How stress can make us feel)

• Moody and hypersensitive.• Restlessness and anxiety.• Depression.• Anger and resentment.• Easily irritated and “on edge”. • Sense of being overwhelmed.• Lack of confidence.

Physical Symptoms: (How stress can affect the Body)

• Headaches. • Digestive problems. • Muscle tension and pain.• Sleep disturbances. • Fatigue.• Chest pain, irregular heartbeat. • High blood pressure. • Weight gain or loss.• Asthma or shortness of breath. • Skin problems.• Decreased sex drive.

Behavioral Symptoms: (How stress can affect the Behavior)

• Eating disorder. • Sleeping too much or too little.• Isolating self from others.• Neglecting the responsibilities.• Increasing alcohol and drug use. • Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).• Teeth grinding or jaw clenching.• Overdoing activities such as exercising or shopping.• Losing the temper.• Overreacting to unexpected problems.

Long term effects of stress Recent research suggests that anywhere from

two-thirds of illness is stress-related.

some of the health problems that can be caused or exacerbated by long-term stress.

Health Problems Linked to long term Stress

Heart attack, Cancer, Stroke, Ulcers,Depressions,Eating disorders,

Obesity,Memeory loss,Thyroid problems

Consequences of occupational stress can be grouped into those on

1.Individual level .

2.Organizational level.

On the individual level,

There are three main subgroups of strains:

1.Unwanted Feelings and Behaviours

2.Physiological Diseases (Poor Physical Health)

3. Psychological Diseases (Poor Emotional (Mental) Health)

1.Unwanted Feelings and Behaviors –

1. Job dissatisfaction. 2. Lower motivation.3. Low employee morale.4. Less organizational commitment,.5. Lowered overall quality of work life.6. Absenteeism, turnover.7. Intention to leave the job, 8. Lower productivity, decreased quantity and

quality of work.9. Inability to make sound decisions.

2.Physiological Diseases (Poor Physical Health)

such as increased blood pressure and pulse rate, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, insomnia, headaches, infections, skin problems, injuries and fatigue.

3. Psychological Diseases (Poor Emotional (Mental) Health) –

1.Psychological distress, depression, anxiousness.2.Passiveness, Aggressiveness.3.Boredom, lose of self-confidence and

self-esteem.4.Lose of dissatisfaction with job and live,

losing of contact with reality and emotional fatigue.

On the Organization level,

Consequences of Occupational or Job Stress can be Grouped into two Major subgroups.

1 . Organizational factors

2 . Organizational Costs.

1.Organizational factors -1.Such as discontent and poor morale among the

workforce. 2.Performance/productivity losses, low quality

products and services. 3.Poorer relationships with clients, images and

reputation, missed opportunities.4.Disruption to production, high accident and mistakes

rates, high labor turnover.5.Loss of valuable staff, increase sick-leave,

permanent vacancies, premature retirement.6.Diminished cooperation, poor internal

communications, more internal conflicts, and dysfunctional workplace climate.

2.Organizational Costs :-

1.Such as cost of reduced performance, productivity (lack of added value to product and /or service),

2.High replacement costs in connection with labor turnover (increase in recruitment, training and retraining costs),

3.Increases sick pay, increased health-care costs and disability payments,

4.Higher grievance and litigation/compensation costs, and costs of equipment damage.

Physical Factors affecting the Job Stress.

, 14%

6%

, 20%

11%

20%

17%

, 12%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Inadequate ventilation Problems with office accomadationLack of privacy Poor lighting

Indequate temperature control Noise levelsPoor site conditions

Inadequate Ventilation 14%

Problems with office accommodation6%

Lack of Privacy *20%

Poor lighting 11%

Inadequate Temperature control *20%

Noise levels *17%

Poor site conditions 12%

Organizational factors affecting Job stress

26%

20%

24%

16%14%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30% Inadequate staffing

Poor communications

Insufficent Training

Interpersonal Conflicts

Poor relations withsuperiors

Inadequate staffing 26%

Poor Communications 20%

Insufficient Training 24%

Interpersonal Relations 16%

Poor relations with superiors 14%

Job Demand factors affecting Occupational or Job stress

28%

19%

25%

16%

12%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Too Much work

Pressure

Ambitious Deadlines

Working in Isolation

Insufficiency Skilled forJob

Too much of work 28%

Pressure 19%

Ambitious Deadlines 25%

Working in Isolation 16%

Insufficiency skilled for job 12%

Job role factors affecting Occupational or Job stress

24%22%

14%

23%

17%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%Lack of Clarity aboutresponsibility

Conflicting Demands

Indequate ManagerialSupport

Lack of carrerProgression

Job insecurity

Lack of clarity about responsibility23%

Conflicting demands 24%

Inadequate Managerial support17%

Lack of career progression 22%

Job insecurity 14%

Approach to reduce stress

Stress on the job creates high costs for businesses and institutions, reducing morale, productivity, and earnings. Clearly, it is in every employer’s best interests—fiscal and otherwise—to reduce workplace stress as much as possible.

Organizational approach Organization can foster low levels of job stress

and high levels of productivity:

Organization level to Reduce Job Stress 1. Improve communication 2. Consult your employees 3. Offer rewards and incentives 4. Cultivate a friendly social climate

Employees can reduce job stress

While organizational change comes from management, there are still many things employees—individually or collectively—can do to reduce workplace stress.

Stand Up for Yourself1. Get a job description 2. Change your job 3. Get support 4. Get a new job

Approaches to Reduce StressChange of life style habits to Manage Stress

better

1. Get enough sleep 2. Connect with others: 3. Exercise regularly 4. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet 5. Reduce caffeine and sugar 6. Do something for yourself everyday

Change of thinking and emotional responses to handle stress better

1. Have realistic expectations

2. Reframe problems

3. Maintain your sense of humor

4. Express your feelings instead of bottling them up

5. Don’t try to control events or other people

Meet the challenges of stressful situations

1. Manage time 2. Give priority to the most important tasks

and do those first 3. Schedule time for both work and recreation 4. Delegate tasks and break up big projects

Stress Relief:Yoga, Meditation, and Other Relaxation

Techniques

• Breathing exercises relieve stress• Meditation to Relieve Stress• Yoga help with stress relief

How to Change the Organization to Prevent Job Stress

1. Ensure that the workload is in line with workers' capabilities and resources.

2. Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills.

3. Clearly define workers' roles and responsibilities.4. Give workers opportunities to participate in

decisions and actions affecting their jobs.5. Improve communications-reduce uncertainty about

career development and future employment prospects

6. Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.

Preventing Job Stress - Getting Started

STEPS TOWARDS PREVENTION• Step 1 - Identify the Problem. • Step 2 - Design and Implement Interventions. • Step 3 - Evaluate the Interventions.