Occupational Stress

Occupational Stress
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Introduction
For a long time, many leaders of different organizations have ignored the problem of occupational stress. This aspect has emanated from failure of highlighting of this crucial element that affects performance in great ways, by scholars and researchers. Occupational stress is not a new emergence, but deliberations on it are relatively new in the field of education. This paper analysis the issue of occupational stress in view of its process, the impacts in workplace as well as giving an actual work setting that is presented with job stressors. There is also description of different ways in which psychologists could intervene to reduce the effects of occupational stress. The analysis is crucial because, it is capable of enabling managers of different workplaces to look for ways of mitigating occupational stress.
Occupational stress
Spector (2012) observe that; occupational stress denotes a condition whereby; a worker is faced with stress that is emanating from work. The condition could develop from having to handle some work that is beyond the ability of the worker. It could also emanate from disparity between work expectations and reality. For instance, if a worker is faced with loads of work such that they have to go home with some of the workload to be able to finish, they are bound to experience occupational stress. Again, if the work involves dealing with conditions that are beyond the knowledge and ability of the worker, they are bound to experience occupational stress. For instance, if a nurse is forced to handle the work that should be performed by a doctor, they are likely to develop occupational stress. Disparity between work expectations and reality result to occupational stress due to the mindset of the worker. For instance, if a worker had expected higher pay at the end of a particular period of time and then they get paid little, there is bound to be occupational stress. On the same note, if a worker had expected some promotion at the end of a given period of time, and then it happens not to be impacted, such a worker will experience occupational stress.
Occupational stress is a common disorder in many work places. This issue applies to all fields of work and in all parts of the world. Even the developed countries have statistics on occupational stress that indicate that there is prevalence of this issue in different workplaces in those countries. For instance in Great Britain, out of a total of 1241000 work related illnesses, 487000 were occupational stress, in the year 2013/2014. This is a whopping 39% which is a significant number. This indicates that; there has been prevalence of occupational stress on a high notch. 244000 is the number of new cases of work related stress that were reported in the same year in this country. If such a developed country is having such high number of occupational stress disorders, it is highly likely that; the condition is the same in many countries and it is bound to be worse in developing countries.
Impacts
Spector (2012) clarifies that; occupational stress may not be easily detectable from superficial observation of things in the workplace. However, its impacts go a long way and are felt in the output of the affected workers. It is therefore crucial that; managers of different organizations put efforts to ensure that there is control of this ailment in workplaces. This should be done early enough and not to wait until the negative impacts have already been felt because, it could be too late to make amendments. The impacts of occupational stress are felt in different areas.
Reduced productivity is one of the impacts of occupational stress. Spector (2012) acknowledge that; when a worker is experiencing occupational stress, they are bound to be less productive. As with any other kind of stress, occupational stress leads to distraction from usual functioning. Where a worker would do a lot of work in a short period of time, they would take long because their brain is suppressed by stress. This may not be detected at the time of work, but with time, it becomes recognizable that the worker is not being as productive as they used to be. Since there are many factors that could lead to the same results as these, it is crucial that managers be keen to be able to detect the real cause of issues. If it is found that the reduced productivity is emanating from work related stress, then, the necessary measures should be taken to ensure that there is reprieve.
Another impact touches on increased healthcare cost. When workers are stressed, they are bound to fall sick every now and then. This emanates from their poor condition of health emanating from tress. Such workers are bound to fail to eat well or in a balanced manner and therefore, their immunity become weak. Even without having to fall sick from other diseases, the stress is in itself a disease that needs treatments. To deal with this issue in the health field, it costs a lot. The health care cost impacts to the organization and to the involved individual. If the stress is not detected at an early stage, there is high likelihood that it may take long to heal. The process will impact heavily in terms of cost for the medical therapy.
Occupational stress is also associated with on-job accidents. Spector (2012) suggests that; when a worker is faced with conditions that render them to experience stress related to work, they are likely to cause accidents. These accidents emanate from the fact that the mind is affected by the stress. Hence, it becomes difficult for the worker to coordinate issues well. Impacts of work related stress concerned with accidents are mostly associated with workers that operate implements. For instance, if a driver is stressed at the work place, there is high likelihood of causing accident. The same applies to other machine operators. It is crucial to note that; on-job accidents emanating from occupational stress are not associated with heavy machinery operators or drivers only. There could be accidents relating to even small implements such as coffee makers ...