Stress in the Work-Place

Stress in the Work-Place

Abstract

Over the years, stress at work has been a key topical issue to the

world over. Robert C. Dailey, in his book Understanding People In

Organisations, defines stress as "any demand made on the body that

requires psychological or physical adjustment." The relationship

between stressful events or situations, coping resources and the

stress response is a complex one, in that not all people will respond

to events in the same way. Reputed bodies such as the Confederation

of British Industries (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and the

Department of Health have voiced their concerns on this anomaly.

1 Introduction

A broader definition, stress is an individual’s physiological response

to excessive pressure[1]. This may come about (in the workplace) as a

result of high demands, competition, the rate of technological and

organisational change, and more. Although stress is not a disease,

but if it is not checked it can bring significant negative effects to

the person and the organisation. We need stress and fear to motivate

us to do better – but not all stress is desirable. It depends on the

type of stress, of which there are three main ones; Good stress, bad

stress and repulsive stress. However it is the first two categories

that we will concern ourselves in. The former results where although

a task is demanding; it is capable of being completed. In other words,

performance is improved when the employee is under pressure. However

too much pressure can be bad it can create prolonged stress and also

chronic stress which can lead to the destructive cycle of poor

performance, declining conf...

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...twreight, 1994)

[8] (Reynolds & Shapiro, 1991).

[9] “Against the Grain” by Rob Briner

[10] “Stress on Probation!” by Carol Johnson

[11]“Stress on Probation!” by Carol Johnson

[12] “Against the Grain” by R.Briner

[13] “Organisational Interventions to Reduce the Impact of Poor Work

Design” written by Dr S. Parker, Dr P. Jackson, C. Sprigg and Dr A.

Whybrow at the Institute of Work Psychology at Sheffield University

[14] “Against the Grain” by R.Briner

[15] As mentioned in the ISMA newsletter November 2000

[16] Stress in perspective website – Helping to manage stress in the

workplace – Stress Audits

[17] As mentioned in a conference report which was held at Cranfield

University School of Management, on the topic of “Organisational

Stress and Employee Well -Being: New Perspectives