PSY 575 Topic 7 Discussion Question 2
answer:
For the best interests of an organization, managing employee’s stress levels will help to increase efficiency, productivity and improve overall job performance. When stress levels are too high, there is an increased risk for physical and psychological conditions such as stroke, heart disease, mental illness and musculoskeletal injuries. If stress is too low anxiety may rise because employees don’t feel challenged or engaged in their roles.
Management of employee stress levels is not only the best interests of individuals and organizations. Stressful work environment has been a frequent cause of absenteeism, presenteeism and employee turnover. In relation to organizations, too much stress can lead to high turnover rates, which can be costly in recruiting people to replace them
The following are the reasons for effective management of employee stress levels.
Employee burnout can be a big problem for managers to deal with, because it can lead to decreased work performance, increased mistakes and accidents, increased absenteeism and turnover, increased health grievances and insurance costs. However, the positive effects of employee engagement make it clear that managers should always keep the stress levels of their employees in mind. Happy workers will perform better and feel better, which will create a more productive and positive organization.
Employee stress levels need to be managed because if the employee is too stressed the organization will have to deal with issues such as depression, burnout, high turnover rates and a host of physical ailments such as ulcers, high blood pressure, headaches, backaches etc. On the other hand if an employee does not stress enough over their work it could lead them to become very complacent about their work which could lead to mistakes being made. If a manager cares about the people that work under them and want those employees to be happy then they should take all the steps necessary to help manage their stress levels.
Most research indicates that there is an optimal level of stress necessary for productivity. If your employees are not challenged at all by their work, they will be unmotivated and unproductive. On the other hand, if they are stressed out of they wits, they will also be unproductive. Therefore, it is in you best interest as a manager to keep their stress level just right.
Both high stress levels and low stress levels can reduce the effectiveness of employees and their satisfaction with work. High stress levels can increase absenteeism and turnover, reduce productivity and job performance, and cause workers to be irritable, uncaring, and mistrustful. Low stress levels can make employees feel bored, unenthusiastic, and underproductive.
Stress can arise from the physical and psychological demands placed on employees during the course of their jobs. When stress is too high, it can have a negative impact on job performance and productivity. Instead, challenges should be managed by creating a job that is fulfilling and enjoyable.
Managers are preoccupied with the need to achieve goals and most often the focus is on output, they may overlook signs of stress in employees. It becomes a vicious cycle; with employees working longer hours, being overloaded by work, having less time for leisure and family, they become more irritable which would lead to more conflicts at home and at work. Healthy individuals with a well-balanced life style can be relied upon to work harder during times of crisis.
In recent years those working in high demanding jobs has led to many managers suffering from work-related stress themselves. Work-related stress, in psychological terms is the perception that one’s job role requirements exceed their abilities and resources. A consequence of this is that people feel overextended by their work situation, or become emotionally exhausted through experiencing excessive psychological demands. There can be many different causes of work-related stress including: Workload, Role clarity, job control, Teamwork and support, management style, change and organizational culture.
question
Discuss why it is the best interests of an organization for managers to manage the stress levels of their employees. What negative consequences arise when employee stress levels are either too high or too low?