Workplace Stress: Implications for Employees and Organizations

Stressors are ubiquitous in today’s society, impacting the personal and professional lives of most people on a daily basis. In terms of stress in organizational settings, employees must deal with an array of workplace stressors, including: Role conflict or ambiguity; Task overload; Difficult relationships with co-workers or supervisor; Harsh environmental conditions; Lack of clear communication or direction; Insufficient resources needed to perform a job; Inadequate pay and benefits; Hostile work environment, including bullying or harassment; Job instability or uncertainty of the organization’s future. It is in the best interest of an organization to establish practices and programs to help reduce or eliminate stressors from the work environment. Employees who are able to perform their jobs with minimal stressors will demonstrate greater engagement, as well as productivity. This will enable an organization to sustain a high level of performance for achieving short and long-term objectives and overall success