Post on 21-Jul-2016
transcript
Stress at work
Introduction
Objective
Workload
What Is Stress?
A situation that creates excessive psychological or physiological demands
on a person.
STRESS FEELINGS
• Worry• Tense• Tired• Frightened• Elated• Depressed• Anxious• Anger
General Adaptation Syndrome
• Alarm• Body tries to meet initial challenge of stressor.
• Increased respiration, raised blood pressure, dilated pupils, tensed muscles
• Resistance• Fatigue, anxiety, and tension
• Exhaustion• Prolonged and continual exposure to stressor.
Causes of Stress• Changes in the workplace:
• Competition and change• Technological change• Increasingly diverse workforce• Downsizing• Employee empowerment and teamwork• Work/home conflict
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical and mental health is adversely affected by unpleasant working conditions, such as high noise levels, lighting, temperature and unsocial or excessive hours.
Consequences of Stress
• Physiological symptoms• e.g., increased blood pressure, headaches, heart
attacks• Psychological symptoms
• e.g., job dissatisfaction, tension, anxiety, irritability, boredom, procrastination
• Behavioural symptoms• Changes in productivity, absence, turnover, eating
habits, smoking, drinking, etc.
EXTERNAL STRESSORS
• Physical Environment• Social Interaction• Organisational• Major Life Events• Daily Hassles
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
• Noise• Bright Lights• Heat• Confined Spaces
How Do We Manage Stress? Individual Approaches• Time management• Physical activity• Relaxation techniques• Building social support
How Do We Manage Stress: Organizational Approaches• Selection and placement decisions• Goal setting• Redesigning jobs• Increasing employee involvement• Increasing organizational communication• Providing organizational wellness programs
Tips for Reducing Stress• At least two or three times a week, spend time with
supportive friends or family.• Ask for support when you are under pressure. This is
a sign of health, not weakness.• If you have spiritual or religious beliefs, increase or
maintain your involvement.• Use a variety of methods to reduce stress. Consider
exercise, nutrition, hobbies, positive thinking, and relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
Reducing Stress in the Workplace• Avoid electronic monitoring of staff. Personal supervision
generates considerably less stress.• Allow workers time to recharge after periods of intense or
demanding work.• Deliver important information that significantly affects
employees face to face.• Encourage positive social interactions between staff to
promote problem solving around work issues and increase emotional support.
• Keep in mind that staff need to balance privacy and social interaction at work. Extremes can generate stress.
stressor• noise• Vibration• Heat • Dim lighting/psychological factor• (anxiety, fatigue, frustration, anger)
Environmental Stressor• Motion• Thermal Stress• Air Quality
Environmental StressorMotion
• High Frequency Vibration• Low Frequency Vibration and Motion Sickness
Environmental StressorThermal Stress
a. Excessive Heat - sun, equipment, furnaces, boilers - dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustionb. Excessive Cold-Forstbite, Hypothermia, Health Endagerment
Environmental StressorAir Quality
• Poor air quality = poor ventilation • Polluted by smog or carbon monoxide