stress management occupational stress

1. Occupational Stress
Stress Management
Onkar R. Satam

2. Definition
Physical or psychological disorder associated with
an occupational environment and manifested
in symptoms such as extreme
anxiety, or tension, or
cramps, headaches, or digestion problems.
 Stress related to responsibilities associated
with work, corporate culture or personality
conflicts
 Can lead to physical as well as emotional
disorders
 May cause depression if left unattended

3. Effects of Occupational
Stress
Psychological and behavioral
problems
 Anxiety
 Irritability
 Alcohol and Drug Use
 Feeling Powerless
 Low Morale

4. Physical symptoms:
 Fatigue
 Headache
 Stomach Problems
 Muscular Aches and pains
 Chronic Mild Illness
 Sleep Disturbances
 Eating Disorders
If exposure to stressors in the workplace is
prolonged, then chronic health problems can
occur including stroke.

5. Managing Occupational Stress
 New Technology
Stress due to introduction of new technology can
be greately reduced by training of the employees
in the new technology so that they are
comfortable and can easily adjust to the new
machines and work procedures
 Shift Work
Allocation of shifts to employees making sure that
all employees are awarded shifts in rotation to
avoid monotony in work timings and conditions

6.  Longer Working Hours
Try not to work long hour and ask whether flexible
working hours are available. Enough sleep is
essential.
 Deadlines
Set realistic goals and targets which are
achievable in the given time frame with optimum
effort.
 Commuting to Work
Try to move in closer to workplace or find work
near to residence. Travel with a friend to work.

7.  Working Conditions
Organizations need to provide with good
lighting, ventilation, washroom facilities, rest
rooms, first aid, canteen etc to ensure hygienic and
safe working conditions.
 Bad Communication
Improve communication skills, training can be
imparted to employees in work related
communication and interpersonal skills as well as
written communication.
 Accepting New Jobs
Moe on to next job once u learn the present job.

8.  Being the Boss
Develop good rapport with employees and
subordinates, lead by example, have good clear
communication with them and always reason out
clearly and create a consensus for your decisions
 Queen Bee Syndrome
It is best to create a balance with fun, humor, and
compassion with your co-workers and intermingle
this with your enthusiasm of strong work ethics to
gain respect and guide others to mimic your
enthusiasm.
 Lack of Enthusiasm

9.  Job Satisfaction
Try and identify what u like in your job and what you
don’t. Try and chalk out possible solutions. Talk to
superiors and try and change the characteristics of
the job to make it more satisfying.
 Job Security
The threat of losing a job makes life generally very
stressful. Workers also put up with more hassles just
to keep a job. Changing occupations is far more
common now days - this can be one of the most
stressful times in a persons life.
 Boredom
Try and induce various activities and variations in

10. Occupational Stress and
Gender
According to a study conducted jointly by University of
the Witwatersand, South Africa, University of
Manchester Institute of Science and
Technology, U.K., Graduate Institute of Behavioural
Sciences, Taiwan and University of South
Florida, U.S.on the variations in effect of occupational
stress on males and females
 Both males and females experience same amount of
stressors at workplace
 But men experience less stress than women
 Stressors at work have more effect on women as
compared to men.
http://web.ba.ntu.edu.tw/luolu/Occupational%20stre

11. Women and Occupational Stress
Causes of Stress
 Dual responsibilities of professional as well as family
life
 Decimation on basis of gender at workplace
 Inability to take up better or different jobs due to
family pressure
Symptoms of Occupational Stress in Women
Psychological problems
Depressive
symptoms, insomnia, dissatisfaction, irritability, rage,
anxiety, fearfulness, feelings of guilt and shame and

12. Physical problems
Coronary heart disease, changes in blood
pressure, body ache, tension headaches, digestive
problems and back pain
Dysfunctional behavioral manifestations
Sickness absenteeism, changing jobs
frequently, career interruption and job withdrawal
owing to negative job attitudes
Women have to develop a model of working which
enables them to keep a good balance between
professional and family life. They should not work the
same way as men as men have much lesser need to

13. Strategic Planning to Combat
Occupational Stress
1. Individual Level Strategy
Examples of individual and situational factors that
can help to reduce the effects of stressful working
conditions include the following:
• Balance between work and family or personal life
• Create support network of friends and coworkers
and talk out openly
• Maintain relaxed and positive outlook/attitude
• Change the motto - No one is perfect – perform
the best
• Have realistic expectations
• Have a balanced diet
• Practice relaxation and meditation
• Have thorough medical check up at frequent

14. 2. Corporate Level Strategy
It is important to identify characteristics associated
with both healthy, low-stress work and high levels of
productivity
 Recognition of employees for good work
performance
• Opportunities for career development
• An organizational culture that values the individual
worker
• Management actions that are consistent with
organizational values
• Exposure to stressful working conditions (called job
stressors)

15. Corporate Stress
Prevention Strategy
• Talk to individual employees, if possible or
else to their first supervisors
• Hold group discussions with employees
• Measure employee perceptions of
job, working conditions, stress, satisfaction
• Design a survey method
• Collect objective data
• Analyze the data and identify the problem
• Find out remedial measures

16. How to Change the Organization
to Prevent Job Stress
• The workload should be in line with workers’
capabilities and resources
• Job design should stimulate and provide
ample opportunities for workers to use their
skills
• Clarity in workers’ roles and responsibilities
• Worker’s participation in making decisions for
those actions affecting their interests
• Improved channels of communication
• Drawl of clear career development chart
• Ensuring social interaction opportunities

17. Thank You