JOB STRESS

CONTENTS
Definition Introduction Epidemiology Effect of job stress Causes of job stress Way to overcome job stress

Job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury. Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

INTRODUCTION
The concept of job stress is often confused with challenge. Studies proves that challenge energizes us psychologically and physically, and motivates us to master our jobs. When the challenge is met, we feel relaxed and satisfied. But, when the challenge has not been met, it turns into job demands that cannot be met, relaxation has turned to exhaustion and a sense of satisfaction has turned into feelings of stress In short, the stage is set for illness, injury, and job failure

Symptoms of job stress

feeling upset, anxious, dissatisfied, irritable, depressed Unable to get the job done on the time or satisfactorily Feeling of not being recognized for the contribution or adequately rewarded Poor fit between you and the jobs environment

homework
Karasek job stress model Quoted the source of finding:

Pilot Doctor Police officer Journalist Prison officer Nurse-Midwife Social worker

Teacher Psychologist Miner Manager Construction worker Dentist

Photographer Librarian Biochemist Laboratory technician Hairdresser Radiographer

Engineer Dietician Insurance worker Speech therapist Optician

High job strain prevalence done among the lab technicians in HUSM and KKM Hospitals in Kelantan from Sept 2001 to Feb 2002

HUSM

KKM HOSPITALs

33.3% 26.8%

Percentage of Lab HUSM technicians who experienced jobrelated 59.5% depressions

KKM HOSPITALS

39.4%

Studies on lecturers of PPSP in USM from Aug 2001 to May 2002 Prevalence of job strain is 23.3%. Prevalence of job dissatisfaction is 42.6%.

EFFECT OF JOB STRESS

Mental and physical reactions towards stress

physical or emotional stress

increased production of adrenaline hormone

fight or flight reaction.

fear or panic.

defense mechanisms may also be activated subconsciously:

-discounting or refusing to recognize the reality that exists -denying the existence of the unpleasant fact -aggression, hostility and virtual persecution towards others because of our own failings may occur. -rationalize failure to achieve an objective by convincing ourselves that we did not really want it anyway -displace our stress by displaying friendliness and charm where we feel hostility and anxiety

Consequences
Usually, only when defense mechanisms are exhausted or prove inadequate that stress disorders develop. Stress disorders are often preceded by feeling of excessive anxiety, fear, distress, guilt, and shame.-depression

In physical terms, prolonged, repeated or severe stress can precipitate a wide variety of disturbances of bodily functions. They are often referred to as psychosomatic illnesses and include many cases of tension headache, digestive disorders and skin disease. Stress may also play a part in causing high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, heart attacks and strokes.

Effect of job stress

Physiological Increased blood pressure

Increased blood sugar production

Gastrointestinal disorder

Ulcers
Cardiovascular disease Musculoskeletal disorders Increased workplace injury Frequent illness

Psychological Depression Anxiety

Irritability
Difficulty concentrating

Behavioral

Difficulty sleeping
Increased used of drugs and alcohol

Aggressive or passive behavior

Absenteeism

Job Stress is very costlyin US it cost around $300billion annually due to : Accidents Absenteeism

Employee turnover
Diminished productivity

Direct medical, legal, and insurance costs

Workers' compensation awards

CAUSES OF JOB STRESS

CAUSES
Infrequent rest break

Long work hour and shiftwork. Hectic and routine task that have little inherent meaning. Do not utilize workers skill. Management styles Career concern

 Uncertain job expectations, too much responsibility. Job insecurity and lack opportunity for promotion Unpleasant job conditions such as crowding, noise, air pollution and etc.

Datelines Feeling undervalued Having to take others people works Lacks of job satisfaction Lack of control with working environment Targets

 Colleagues irritations:
Seeing others not pulling their weight Managers changing their minds about what they want doing Lack of supports from managers and colleagues Pressure from managers Interruptions by colleagues Bullying behavior from managers and colleagues

WAYS TO OVERCOME JOB STRESS

Employment approach Individual approach

Employment approach
Educate employees and management about job stress.
Address work-related stressors, such as inadequate work space & unreasonable work load

Establish regular staff meetings and discussions to communicate feelings, gain support, and share innovative ideas.
Establish stress management programs.

Provide readily available counseling from a nonjudgmental source.

 Provide adequate staffing. Provide reasonable shift schedules to allow adequate time for sleep each day. Provide an organized and efficient work environment. Provide educational sessions and other opportunities to improve skills and confidence. Establish programs to address workplace stress, such as: Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), or Organizational Change Programs.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (EAP)

improve the ability of workers to cope with difficult work situations. Stress management programs teach workers about the nature and sources of stress, the effects of stress on health, and personal skills to reduce stress-for example, time management or relaxation exercises.

EAPs also provide individual counseling for employees for both work and personal problems.

Organizational Change Programme

change hospital policies and procedures to reduce organizational sources of stress. This is done by bringing in a consultant to recommend ways to improve working conditions. This approach is the most direct way to reduce stress at work. It involves the identification of stressful aspects of work (e.g., excessive workload, conflicting expectations) and the design of strategies to reduce or eliminate the identified stressors. Some strategies include: Ensure that the workload is in line with workers' capabilities and resources. Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills. Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs.

Individual approach
Alleviating Adaptive Stress
Alleviating The Stress Of Frustration

Alleviating The Stress Of Overload

The use of relaxation and exercises to relieve symptoms of stress .

Alleviating adaptive stress

Establish Routines
Make sure that your life is ordered
Daily routines for work and play Regular eating and exercise Go to bed and get up at regular hours Set up regular times for rest and relaxation

Avoid Change
If the life change inventory suggests that you are at risk from too much change, stop changing
e.g. don't move now e.g. don't initiate a lifestyle change now

Alleviating The Stress Of Frustration

Express your frustration Determine your real outcomes What do I want? How will things be different and better in my life when I get what I want? What are my useful resources? What has kept me from reaching this outcome before? Choose alternatives

Alleviating The Stress Of Overload

Express your feelings
Negotiate Learn to manage time effectively Learn to say what you want and how you feel Examine personal beliefs regarding expectations of self and others

Relaxation and exercises to relieve symptoms of stress .

Meditation = prevention of stress response
Physical activity = dissipation of built up stress e.g. To dissipate stress from fear, ego threat, etc e.g. To decrease reactivity to future stress