Health and the Workplace (cont.)
Job stress, health and productivity
Some employers assume that stressful working conditions are a necessary
evil-that companies must turn up the pressure on workers and set aside
health concerns to remain productive and profitable in today's economy. But
research findings challenge this belief. Studies show that stressful working
conditions are actually associated with increased absenteeism, tardiness,
and intentions by workers to quit their jobs-all of which have a negative
effect on the bottom line.
Recent studies of so-called healthy organizations suggest that policies
benefiting worker health also benefit the bottom line. A healthy
organization is defined as one that has low rates of illness, injury, and
disability in its workforce and is also competitive in the marketplace.
NIOSH research has identified organizational characteristics associated with
both healthy, low-stress work and high levels of productivity. Examples of
these characteristics include the following:
- Recognition of employees for good work performance
- Opportunities for career development
- An organizational culture that values the individual worker
- Management actions that are consistent with organizational values
What can be done about job stress?
As a general rule, actions to reduce
job stress should give top priority to organizational change to improve
working conditions. But even the most conscientious efforts to improve
working conditions are unlikely to eliminate stress completely for all
workers. For this reason, a combination of organizational change and stress
management is often the most useful approach for preventing stress at work.
How to change the organization to prevent job stress
- 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.
- Clearly define workers' roles and responsibilities.
- Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions
affecting their jobs.
- Improve communications-reduce uncertainty about career development
and future employment prospects.
- Provide opportunities for social interaction among workers.
- Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and
responsibilities outside the job.
Next: Preventing job stress: Getting started »
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