Stress at work place and how to manage it

Essay by nadiyaqub July 2004

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Addressing the Issue of Stress in the Workplace

Once an organization establishes itself as a profit seeking company, its primary objective is clear: maximize profits and minimize costs. Therefore, among other responsibilities, the president of an organization's duty is to ensure that employees are productive and working to their full potential. Part of this duty requires assessing work conditions and being aware of how environmental factors can influence an employee's health and thus productivity. Frequent changes in the work environment can lead to high stress levels among staff because stressful work environments place high demands on the physical and mental energies of workers and thus negatively affect productivity (1). In order to manage the stress felt by employees, management must examine the concept of stress entirely. Potential stressors in the work environment must be identified, the role individual differences play in stress must be acknowledged and the symptoms of stress in employees must be observed so that a course of action designed to moderate stress levels among employees can be formulated.

Solid introduction - a like the 'management' perspective which you are taking on this issue.

Employee stress can be caused by any environmental conditions which place physical or mental demands on an individual (2). In order to manage stress levels in the workplace, it is necessary to identify potential stressors, both job related and work-nonwork related. Workplace stressors fall into several categories. Interpersonal stressors arise as a result of employee interaction and are most prevalent. These include sexual harassment and workplace violence. Role related stressors encompass role ambiguity, role conflict and work overload. Role ambiguity occurs when workers are uncertain of what is expected from them. Role conflict arises due to the competing demands they face at work. A doctor for instance, must be caring but also remain detached,