Stress
- physical and psychological response to challenges
- releases adrenaline and cortisol when feeling in danger (Hans Selve)
- fight or flight mode
- can experience overload and burnout
Personal Impact of Stress
- can weaken immune system
- psychosomatic illnesses
- can lead to chronic anxiety, poor concentration, forgetfulness, accident proneness, etc
Organizational Impact of Stress
- frequent employee absenteeism
- high turnover
- low morale and engagement
- poor work quality and productivity
Sources of Stress
- environmentals stressors, daily hassles
- personal challenges
- work related stressors
- interpersonal stressors
- intrapersonal stressors
Demand Control Model of Stress
- Karasek
- Job Control (level of autonomy) and Job Demands (reqs) are contributors of stress
- high job demand and jon control produces most stress associated with job dissatisfation, depression, and other health problems
Job Burnout
- emotional exhaustion
- feeling of low personal accomplishment
- feels that efforts are useless, ineffective, unappreciated
Managing Stress in the Workplace
1) Individual Intervention
- helps improve ability to cope with stress
- training and counseling
2) Organizational Intervention
- redesigning of job or job structures
- training
- promote work life balance
Work Life Balance Program
- managing work stress and conflict
- non financial rewards
1) Time Based Strategies
- flexi-time, compressed work week, work at home (telecommunicating), job sharing, leave, etc
2) Information Based Strategies
- library, seminar, financial mngt workshop, stress mngt workshop, training on interests and hobbies
3) Direct Services
- onsite child care, onsite conveniencies, onsite massage services
4) Wellness Program
- fitness center, weight mngt, recreation center, nap lounge, yoga session, zumba session, sports activities, etc
5) Employee Assistance Program
- counseling services, substance abuse program, therapy or support group, etc
