Abstract This paper deals with workplacestress from many perspectives. It starts with the modern definition of stress using stimulus and response. It also examines the various causes and consequences of stress. The consequences, measured in both quantitative and qualitative terms, are analyzed from the viewpoint of employers and employees. Lastly, the paper explains why managers are concerned with workplacestress.
From the Paper "Stress is an everyday occurrence in one's life. It is the wear and tear on one's body caused by pressures and problems one experiences in day-to-day life. In general, stress is perceived to be an unpleasant effect that has a negative impact on performance. However, research showed that stress is not entirely bad (Hellriegel, Slocum & Woodman, 1995). In fact, depending on an individual's ability and method of coping, certain degree of stress is essential for survival in life. As such, stress can mean different things to different people."
Abstract This paper examines the causes and types of stress an employee may experience in the workplace. The author differentiates between harmful stress and stress resulting from manageable challenges and other positive factors. The role of managers in delegating appropriately to maintain environments with normal stress levels is also explored. Several well known CEOs are given as examples of how to cope with stress and appoint good managers to handle work-flow. The paper also includes a discussion of how those outside of the US handle stress in the workplace. The paper concludes with symptoms of stress and how to recognize if one needs intervention. Suggestions for wellness are also given.
Outline:
Define WorkplaceStress Successful CEOs
WorkplaceStress and How Employees in Other Countries Cope
What Happens When Stress Gets the Best of You?
Methods of Dealing With Stress Five Most Stressful Jobs
Wellness Strategies
Works Cited
From the Paper "In the area of one's career, one may be under- or over-promoted. Too much responsibility creates as much stress as not enough. Job security, from fear of redundancy either from the state of the economy, or a lack of tasks or work to do, lack of career development opportunities and overall job satisfaction, may be factors that create stress about one's career."
Tags:stress, workplace, fear, role, ambiguity, career
Abstract This paper examines the article, "Technology Increases WorkplaceStress, Tipping the Scales of Work-Life Balance", by the Kensington Technology Group, a study of home and office workers, and how their lives and professional careers are impacted by technology and stress. It looks at how their study confirms that workplacestress has increased as technological advances have increased and indicates that workers are now allowing workplacestress to invade their personal lives. It also includes an examination of the ethical issues inherent with workplacestress.
From the Paper "Another source of stress is attempting to maintain a balance between work and home life. Kensington's survey discovered "54 percent of workers feel that trying to maintain a work-life balance is a great source of additional stress at work" ("Technology," 1999). While it seems more employers are attempting to balance work and personal lives, there are still a myriad of ways for technology to intrude on personal time. Email, voicemail, cell phones, and laptop computers all allow workers to take their work literally home with them, and many do this on a regular basis. They may be away from the office, but they are still tied to it, and so, their family time suffers. This technology supports a mobile workforce, and often, the workforce is expected to perform for more than the 40-hour workweek."
Abstract The paper relates that stress is a workplace hazard and it is undeniable that technology has helped achieve tremendous improvement in productivity. However, it transpires that technology has also contributed to a great increase in stress levels among employees. The paper states that corporate management should focus on identifying and eliminating distressing issues, conducting periodic assessments and promoting a working environment that minimizes stress. The paper emphasizes that the characteristics of good management involves identifying and eliminating distressing issues, conducting periodic assessments, and promoting a working environment that would minimise stress. This can only be achieved by a proactive and employee friendly policy.
Outline:
Introduction
Stress In Workplace Downsizing: The Workplace Hazard
Conclusion
From the Paper "Attrition is a common problem in the stress filled environment. To quote from a recent article that appeared in the 'The Economist', "it costs one-and-a-half times a worker's salary and benefits to replace them and that retaining just 20 workers a year, who would otherwise have left, saves a company $2.6 million per year." (Richard Geller) Thus, stress management programs help prevent attrition and contribute positively to both the employee as well as the organization. High stressed work environment is a more common feature in high tech industries. With constant changes in technology, the necessity to learn and adapt to new changes gives considerable stress to workers. In fact, it would not be far fetched to say that stress has become very much a part of the business these days. As Odette Pollar, president of Oakland-based Time Management Systems and a well know authority on 'stress in the workplace' puts it, "Adjusting to new technologies --like the web, networks, personal communications --that have saturated today's workplace is creating new demands on workers, and that's causing more stress. The question is, how to make technology work in our favor without compromising our health and well-being."
Abstract The paper identifies the typical work-related stressors and paints a picture of the stress experienced in the workplace by those in the legal services profession. The paper then explores three areas of organizational management that are key in avoiding and overcoming stress in the workplace; project management, information management and operations management. The paper shows how these three areas of organizational management are critically required in order to promote effectiveness, efficiency and best practices in the organization.
Outline:
Scenario
Purpose of the Study
Importance of the Study
Methodology
Introduction
Work-Related Stressors Identified
Overview of Today's Legal Services Profession
WorkplaceStress and Employee Burnout
Project Management
Information Management
Operations Management
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The stress experienced in the workplace by those in the legal services profession, whether through government funded initiatives or whether a law firm handling issues for their clients is often the primary aspect that demands focus but receives the least because it is such a sensitive issue to deal with. Societal paces in the hive-like fashion of fast-paced and rapidly expanding technology linking the world leaves the individual frazzled, burned out feeling like war heroes due to the internalization of this stress and the organizational inflexibilities that drive this stress both in and among workers in today's legal society. Policy and legislation of powers has rapidly altered the landscape of that which constitutes the 'law' or 'legal' aspects of the law firm has these firm scrambling to make meaning of the rules of play in many areas and on many levels of the legal system in today's society."
Abstract This paper discusses a system to enhance the reduction of workplacestress that can be employed by managers in most work settings. Workplacestress is one of the most significant of all work related problems. The paper is intended as a guide for the development of best practices for the reduction of workplacestress, with an emphasis on the ability of management to universally reduce stress. The paper first demonstrates the significance of the problem using topical and timely literature to address the concern. The paper continues by assessing the causal factors of workplacestress, using a brief literary analysis. The paper concludes with an outline which demonstrates change within the workplace that will improve the condition of workplacestress.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Assumptions
Methods
Limitations
The Nature of WorkplaceStress in U.S. Businesses
Causes of WorkplaceStress Management Centered Stress Reduction Strategies
Conclusion and Recommendations
From the Paper "This work will rely heavily on literature, as a guide for the understanding of workplace stress and on developing appropriate interventions for stress. It is important to understand that many work places are inherently stressful, due to the nature of the work done there but that universalities can be achieved if audits are conducted effectively. There is also significant evidence that such audits can elicit ideas that management might not have originated, due to the fact that they are not always aware of front-line issues. Additional information will be garnered from literature associated with the development of Employee Assistance Programs, such as the one utilized by the organization I manage."
Abstract This paper examines how the increased use of technology in today's workplace has had a largely negative effect on workplacestress and reviews two articles on the topic. The applicability of each of the articles in relation to a type of organization similar to the law/claims group of a public utility is also analyzed, giving recommendations. The two articles are Michael C. Dennis's "Technology and Stress in the Workplace", which focuses closely on the newly emerging impact of technology-mediated stress in the credit industry, and the State of Utah's article,"WorkplaceStress".
From the Paper "The State of Utah's article can be applied to a public utilities law/claims group type of organization. Employees in such an organization are likely to share the feeling that workplace stress is an ingrained feature of office life. Further, these employees likely share the impression that there is little that can be done to combat technology-fueled workplace stress. Importantly, the characteristics of those who deal well with workplace stress can also be applied to employees in the field of public utilities."
Abstract This paper reviews David Allen's book on managing stress in the workplace, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity". The paper discusses its practical applications and connections with stress management classes.
From the Paper "David Allen is a productivity trainer who has devised a course in time management for dealing with workplace stress .His book "Getting Things Done The Art of Stress-free Productivity" has the potential to completely transform the way work is completed among all levels of workers. He develops a strong thesis explaining basic principles in self-management and uses step-by-step processes to challenge his readers to apply these principles and test them out."
Tags:Stress, Workplace, Stress, management, David, Allen
Abstract This paper reviews literature about studies of stress among college students and relates these studies to similar studies on workplacestress. The paper notes the sources of stress, some of the health consequences, the rate of stress, some of the mediating factors and similar data as gleaned from empirical studies and surveys of college students in different parts of the country.
From the Paper "Much research has been conducted on the effects of stress in the workplace, noting time lost to stress-related problems and illnesses that may develop from stress. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health defines job stress as "the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker" (Minter, 1999). Researchers today attribute a wide range of health effects to stress, including increased risks of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders such as depression and burnout and gastrointestinal disorders and they also note evidence that stress contributes to the incidence of workplace injuries (Minter, 1999)."
Abstract This paper is on workplacestress and mental illness. Some occupations have always been associated with high stress levels as in policing or paramedical services that tend to expose workers to crisis situations as a matter of course. However, many more persons develop mental illness through work-related stress of other kinds. Whereas 50 years ago, North Americans did not speak in terms of stress, or stressors, these have become household words and with workers familiar with the idea of 'burn out' as a result of working conditions and particular attitudes towards their work and their lifestyles, in general.
Abstract This paper explains what stresses a corporate executive and what he can do to alleviate the problem. The author points out the types of workplacestress. The paper relates the need to resolve theses stressors to avoid problems such as employee burnout.
From the Paper "Regardless of gender, age, sex, and/or religion, stress does not discriminate. Nowadays, employees are overworked, underpaid, and some even experience burnout due to the contemporary state of employment of doing more for less. It seems as if the most overworked workers are those who fall into the management and executive category. Over the past few decades a number of organizations have been forced to downsize. As a result of cutting out middle management, upper management and regular employees were tasked with picking up the slack."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of several recent articles that deal with the common issue of how to efficiently manage stress, especially in the workplace.
From the Paper "In addition, we found that stress could be detrimental to both the body and the mind. Our investigation illustrated that stress can result in high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, stress can also lead to anxiety and depression. The physical and mental problems that can be caused by stress can also lead to poor job performance. We found that the most effective ways to deal with stress are through exercise and other coping mechanisms."
Abstract A pretest-post-test, control group design was used to investigate effects of the "F/O Holding Technique". The subjects in the present study were 40 females and 40 males, who were randomly selected and contacted by the researcher to volunteer to participate. Subjects were pre-tested for existing job stress levels with the "Work Stress Inventory" stress test. They then received training in the "F/O Technique" and were instructed to continue with its use. Subjects were post-tested after three weeks. Results of the analysis of variance performed, confirmed the hypotheses that the "F/O Holding Technique" reduces hairdressers levels of job stress, and the effects were stable across gender. Additional study findings were that females tended to experience higher stress levels than males and that females tended to be more positive about the "F/O Holding Technique" than males. Implications of the study results are that the "F/O Holding Technique" is effective for stress reduction in male and female hairdressers.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Statement of the Purpose
Definitions of Terms
Applied Kinesiology
F/O Holding Technique
Job Stress Thought Field Therapy
Limitations of the Study
Review of Literature
Introduction
Nature of Stress Section Summary
Job Stress Section Summary
Nature of WorkplaceStress and
Causative Factors
Section Summary
Relation of Job Stress to Gender
Section Summary
Stressors Associated with Hairdressers
Section Summary
Research on Thought Field Therapy
Section Summary
Psychology, Thought Field Therapy and the
F/O Holding Technique
Section Summary
Conclusions
Methodology
Overview of Study
Research Methods
Subjects
Instruments
Work Stress Inventory
Perceptions and Satisfaction Instrument
Procedures
Results
Data Analysis Plan
Findings
Supplementary Analysis
Appraised Stress Frequency of Job Stress Discussion of Findings
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
Summary
Conclusions
Recommendations
Conceptual Recommendations
Methodological Recommendations
Recommendations for Hairdressers
References
Appendices
Appendix A: F/O Training Methods
Appendix B: The F/O Holding Technique Questionnaire
Appendix C: Consent Form
Appendix D: Permission Letter for WSI
Appendix E: WSI
From the Paper "It should be noted that while there are several studies indicating that gender is associated with a differential experience of work stress; there are also studies that have found no effects for gender. For example, Hipps and Halpin (1993) investigated the amount of variance in burnout and job satisfaction of teachers and principles which could be accounted for by workplace stress; the authors also examined whether levels of stress were differentially associated with differences in sample subjects' ages, and gender."
Abstract This paper examines stress in the workplace. Briefly stress is defined and the body's responses are identified. The focus is on sources of stress in the workplace and the reduction of workplacestress.
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses and considers the ever-current topic of stress. The writer looks at the effects of stress on certain aspects of the workplace and how complimentary therapies could be used, and are being considered as an effective method for treatment and prevention. The writer notes that the costs of stress, in terms of money and health in the UK and companies in general, is extremely high. The writer also points out how small steps towards combating stress using alternative therapies can be very effective. In comparison, the relatively small cost of alternative therapy treatments versus the huge cost of long term sickness, lost work days, prescription costs and general drainage on NHS resources makes prevention of stress, using alternative therapies, a worthwhile investment. The writer concludes that many more companies should be encouraged to make the most of effective stress prevention using alternative therapies as a means of caring for their workforce and helping the UK towards being a low-stress environment in which to work.
Outline:
Early Ideas of Stress Stress and the Individual
Work Related Stress Conclusion
From the Paper "Kasl's theory also suggests that psychological strain results from the joint effect of the demands of a work situation and the range of decision-making discretions available to the worker facing those demands. This theory is also supported by Wallace et al in the finding that people working in high demand but low control positions report the highest frequency of stress symptoms and have the highest level of stress related illnesses. In support of this is a study reported by European Foundations for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions found, from a sample of 1600 Swedish men, 20% of them were experiencing heart disease symptoms, of these men all reported psychologically demanding jobs with a low degree of decision making latitude. By contrast, workers who reported low psychological demands and high levels of skill discretion had no symptoms of heart disease."
