Coping with Job Stress

Paper Summary:

The paper defines the problem of stress and looks at how it is affected in the workplace. The paper then relates that, in spite of the difficulty researchers encounter in measuring stress and tracking the healthcare costs of stress, its negative impact on the work environment has long been recognized in business. The paper also relates that, despite the limitations of research about stress, the research has provided some insight as to what employment conditions create the most negative stress, and what types of stress employers should strive to reduce to optimize productivity.

From the Paper:

"However, measuring stress can itself be a source of stress for researchers. A problem with measuring stress is "that it cannot always be seen," especially during its early stages when "most employees will suffer in silence. [Although] this does not mean that employers can or should do nothing," it may mean that a lack of response on the part of employers is not necessarily due to callousness fashion ("Stress in the workplace," 2007, Clarion, Ltd). It can be difficult for researchers to calculate the amount of stress workers experience at any one point in time, or over the course of a typical work day or year. Because the potential costs of work-related stress to an employer as well as the employee are so great, including the cost of absences, disturbances in production, creativity and competitiveness, reduced effectiveness of employees suffering from work-related stress, punitive legal fines if workers injure themselves on the job, and awards of damages from the courts arising from personal injury claims, employers often wish to reduce workplace stress and address its causes, but are not always able to do so nor measure its impact in a clear fashion ("Stress In The Workplace," 2007, Clarion, Ltd). "The price tag for indirect and direct costs associated with both undiagnosed and treated depression in North America is $60 billion, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alex, Dakotta J.K. "Psychosocial factors: Creating a well-balanced work
• Dyck, Diane Tony Roithmayr. (2005). "The toxic workplace." Benefits Canada.
• Evaluating stress measurement questionnaires." (2002). HRM Guide.
• Kolata, Gina. (21 Sept 2003). "Ideas & Trends: Flex those nerves; may your days be long and stressful." The New York Times. Retrieved 2 Sept 2007 at http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E3D7103AF932A1575AC0A9659C8B63&sec=health
• Landen, Deborah D. (2007). "Workplace stress among underground coal miners." CDC: Center for Disease Control. . Retrieved 2 Sept 2007 at

More papers on Coping with Job Stress:

• Research Paper # 96987 : "Workplace Stress"
• Research Paper # 3194 : "Stress Management in the Investment Banking Industry"
• Research Paper # 11197 : "There is Help After All: An Overview of Work Stress and Ways to Cope"

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