Work-Related Stress and Stress Management

1
Work-Related Stress and Stress Management

• By
• Aleksandr Rodzinek
• Sergio Garcia

2
Stress

• Stress is an adaptive response to a situation
  that is perceived as challenging or threatening
  to a persons well-being.
• Physiological Changes
• Increased heart rate
• Tightened muscles
• Increased rate of breathing

3
General Adaptation Syndrome

• Alarm Reaction
• Occurs when a threat or challenge activates a
  physiological change.
• Resistance
• The ability to cope with stress in a work-related
  environment.
• Exhaustion
• A result of an on-going stressful environment.

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Stressors The Causes of Stress

• The causes of stress that include any
  environmental conditions that place a physical or
  emotional demand on a person.

5
Types of Stressors

• Interpersonal Stressors
• Workplace Violence Physical and physiological
  attacks on employees.
• Psychological and Sexual Harassment Includes
  hostile or unwanted conduct, verbal comments, and
  gestures.
• Role-Related Stressors
• Work Overload The result of growing consumerism
  and advancements in technology.
• Task Control Stressors
• Mandatory stress that employees must deal with in
  order to perform the task at hand.
• Non-work Stressors
• Time-Based Conflict
• Strain-Based Conflict
• Role Behavior Conflict

6
Individual Differences in Stress

• Different threshold levels of resistance to a
  certain stressor.
• Different coping strategies, some of which may be
  more effective than others.
• Different beliefs about the threat and their
  ability to withstand it.
• Resilience the capability of individuals to
  cope successfully in the face of significant
  stress.

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Consequences of Distress

• Physiological
• Shuts down the immune system.
• Tension headaches
• Cardiovascular disease
• Strokes and heart attacks
• Psychological
• Job Dissatisfaction
• Moodiness
• Depression
• Overall emotional fatigue
• Job Burnout
• Behavioral
• Falling job performance
• Lack of concentration
• High level of absenteeism
• Workplace Aggression

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Managing Work-Related Stress

• Remove The Stressor
• Work-Life Balance Initiatives
• Flexible Work Time
• Job Sharing
• Telecommuting
• Personal Leave
• Child Care Support
• Withdraw from the Stressor
• Temporary Withdrawal Strategies
• Personal days off
• Employee break rooms

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Managing Work-Related Stress

• Control the Consequences of Stress
• Employee Assistance Programs are counseling
  services that help employees with any work or
  personal stress.
• Receive Social Support
• Employees improve their perceptions that they are
  valued and worthy
• Employees receive help interpreting,
  comprehending, and removing stressors
• Emotional support from others can directly help
  to buffer the stress experience