Scribd
Upload
48 views39 pages

Occupational Stress 508

This document discusses occupational stress and strategies for preventing and managing job-related stress. It identifies how work characteristics like job demands, decision latitude, social support and the overall work environment can impact worker health and organizational outcomes. Prolonged job stress can increase risks of physical and mental health issues for workers as well as absenteeism, illness and decreased productivity for organizations. The document recommends stress prevention programs, stress management techniques, ergonomic evaluations and lifestyle wellness strategies to help reduce the adverse effects of work-related stress.

Uploaded by

Ady Adi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
48 views39 pages

Occupational Stress 508

This document discusses occupational stress and strategies for preventing and managing job-related stress. It identifies how work characteristics like job demands, decision latitude, social support and the overall work environment can impact worker health and organizational outcomes. Prolonged job stress can increase risks of physical and mental health issues for workers as well as absenteeism, illness and decreased productivity for organizations. The document recommends stress prevention programs, stress management techniques, ergonomic evaluations and lifestyle wellness strategies to help reduce the adverse effects of work-related stress.

Uploaded by

Ady Adi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 39

Occupational Stress

Michelle Filipo, R.N


“Job-related stress has created a
crisis that largely goes
unrecognized by employers.”
Source: Northwestern National Live Insurance, 1991
Seminar Objectives
Identify How the Structure of Work and
Organizational Characteristics Impact
worker health.
- Physiologic Responses to Stress
- Psychological Disorders Among
Workers
-Behavioral Responses
Seminar Objectives
Identify the Impact of Worker Stress on
Organizations
-Increased Absenteeism
-Increased Rates of Illness
-Poor Morale
-Decreased Productivity
Seminar Objectives
Identify Sources of Job Stress

-Psychological Demand
-Decision Latitude
-Skill Discretion
-Autonomy
- Social Support
Seminar Objectives
Discover Strategies for Preventing and
Controlling Adverse Effects of Work
Related Stress
- Stress Management Programs
- Quick Fix Stress Reducers
- Lifestyle Wellness
- Quick on the Job De-stressors
Stress Response Physiology
101
Fight or Flight Response
-Basic (Necessary) to All Animals
-Short Term Arousal is Taxing for the
Body but not Toxic
-Long Term Arousal Creates Difficulties
with Relaxation and Contribute to Stress
Related Disease.
Demand/Control Model
Worker stress arises from an
imbalance between the
demands and decision latitude
(or control) in the workplace.
Psychological Demands
Best Case Scenario
- Job has Predictable, Routine Demands
Mixed with New Learning
- Magnitude of Demands is Mediated by
Interpersonal Decision Making Between
Parties with Relatively Equal Status.
Decision Latitude: Skill
Discretion
Best Case Scenario
- The Job Offers Possibilities to Make the
Maximum Use of the Skill and Provides
Opportunities to Increase Skills on the
Job.
- New Technologies are Created in the
Workers Hands, Improving Production
Power.
Decision Latitude: Autonomy
Best Case Scenario
- Workers have Influence Over Selection
of Work Routines and Work Colleagues
and Can Participate in Long Term
Planning.
- Interfaces with Machinery or Technology
Allows the Worker to Assume Control.
Social Relations
Best Case Scenario
- Social Contacts are Encouraged as a
Basis for New Learning and are
Augmented by New
Telecommunications Technologies.
- New Contacts Multiply the Possibilities
for Self-Realization through
Collaboration.
Four Types of Work
1. High Strain Jobs
Psychological Demands of the Job
are High and the Decision Latitude
is Low.

- Result in the Most Severe


Adverse Physiological Outcomes
- Highest Risk for Cardiac Disease
Four Types of Work
2. Active Jobs
Demands High Levels of
Performance but the Workers’
Decision Latitude is Also High.

-Highest Level of Learning and Growth


-Most Likely to Enjoy Leisure and
Recreation Outside of Work
Four Types of Work
3. Low Strain Jobs
The Workers Decision Latitude is High but the
Psychological Demands of Work are Low.
(Utopia)
- Low Levels of Psychological and Physical
Strain are Anticipated.
- Highest Level of Creativity and Problem-
Solving.
Four Types of Work
4. Passive Jobs
Low Psychological Demand and Low
Control for the Worker.

- Gradual Atrophying of Learned Skills


Due to Skill Underutilization.
-Average Level of Illness Risk because
Fewer Stressors are Confronted.
The “Toxic” Workplace
Characterized by

-Role Ambiguity
-Role Conflict
-Competition and Rivalry
-Poor Interpersonal Relationships
Changing Workplace - - early in
the next millennium

Workers as Generalists - - flexible portfolio of


skills, knowledge and abilities, and
multitalented; requires continuing education and
“re-invention”

Leverage technology “to the max”

Restructuring/reorganizing/reconfiguring - - will
continue and even accelerate in corporations
worldwide
Changing Workplace - - early in
the next millennium (continued)

Demographic trends - - gender composition and


age of workforce, early retirement

Increase in Service jobs - - requires “boundary


spanning” - - must interact with (“deal with”)
boss(es), co-workers, subordinates, irate
customers or clients, sales representatives,
owners, public
Impact on Organizations
-Absenteeism
-High Rates of Illness
-Low Productivity and Work
Performance
- Low Morale
-Loss of Revenue
Impact on the Worker
Increase risk of Physical Disease
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Hypertension
-Gastrointestinal Disorders
-Musculoskeletal Problems
Impact on the Worker
Increase risk of Psychological Disorders
-Anxiety
-Depression
-Burnout
-PTSD Symptoms
-Conversion Disorders
Impact on the Worker
Increase in Negative Behavioral
Outcomes
- Absenteeism
-Substance Abuse
-Increased Errors/Accidents
-Decreased Recreation/Social Isolation
- Domestic Discord
Stress Prevention Strategies
Reducing Individual Vulnerability with
Education:
- Assertiveness Training
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- Analysis of the Role of the
Environment to Avoid Self Imposed
Blame
Stress Prevention Strategies
- Develop a “Sounding Board”
- Meditation/Relaxation Programs
- Increase Recreation to Balance
Stressors
- Increase Cardiovascular Activity
-Biofeedback
- Identify Your “Stress Style”
Stress Prevention Strategies
Have your Workstation Ergonomically
Evaluated
- Take Stretch Breaks Every 20-30 min.
-Maintain 18-30 Inches from your Computer
Screen
-Use a Foot Rest to Support Your Feet
- Keep Your Head and Neck in a Neutral
Position
Stress Prevention Strategies
- Inquire About Stress Prevention
Programs at Work
- Develop a “Morale Team”
- Have Meetings Standing Up
- Set a “by minute” Agenda for Meetings
References
Karasek, R & Theorell. Healthy Work
Stress, Productivity, and the
Reconstruction of Working Life. 1990.
Levy, B.S & Wegman, D.H.
Occupational Health Recognizing and
Preventing Work Related Disease and
Injury. 2000.

You might also like