A Mixed-Method Research on Stress Among Government Workers: Analysis Using the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards

This study examined the government workers’ experiences of stress in the workplace. This study aimed to test the significant relationships between the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age group, gender, employment status, length of service, and divisions, as to the six key areas of the workplace identified by the health and safety executive management standards: demand, control, support (manager and peer), relationship, role, and change. An explanatory sequential mixed- methods design that employed both quantitative methods and qualitative procedures was utilized. There were 81 respondents who answered the modified HSE Management Standard Indicator Tool and 10 respondents from the sample size representing the divisions for the semi-structured interview. Statistical treatments of data such as frequency distribution, weighted mean, composite mean, and Chi-square Test were used. Moreover, thematic analysis was used for the qualitative phase. Findings revealed that age group, length of service, and divisions had a significant relationship to job stress in terms of demand, support (manager and peer), and relationship. For the qualitative findings, a total of 18 themes emerged. Lastly, the study revealed that the qualitative results supplemented the survey’s significant results on government workers’ experience of stress in the workplace. Government agencies may use the modified tool and record the results to formulate guidelines, policies, and procedures to improve their working environment. Yielded results of the tools may be correlated to attendance records, staff turnover figures, performance ratings, and accident reports