managing stress and work- life...

Managing Stress and Work-Life Balance

Chapter 9

Sixth Edition Jennifer M. George & Gareth R. Jones

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 9-1

Learning Objectives

• Describe how the experience of stress is based on

employees’ perceptions and influenced by individual

differences

• Appreciate the fact that stress can have both positive

and negative consequences for employees and their

organizations

9-2 Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Learning Objectives

• Be aware of stressors that can arise from employees’ personal lives, their jobs, their work groups and organizations, the pursuit of work-life balance, and uncertainty in the wider environment

• Describe problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies for individuals

• Describe problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies for organizations


Job Losses & Its Consequences

What effects does job loss have on employees

and their families?

Mounting levels of stress for employees

Mental & physical well-being

Loss of house

Conflicts with friends and family


What Is Stress?

Stress is the experience of

opportunities or threats

that people perceive as

important and also

perceive they might not be

able to handle or deal with

effectively


Key Aspects of Stress

• Stress can originate from opportunities and threats

• The opportunities or threats that cause stress are important to the person in question

• The person who is experiencing the threat or opportunity is uncertain as to whether he or she can effectively handle the situation

• Stress is rooted in perception


Individual Differences and Stress

Personality Ability


Personality and Stress

Self-esteem

Type A

Locus of control

Neuroticism

Extraversion

Openness to experience


Consequences of Stress


Physiological Consequences

Behavioral Consequences

Psychological Consequences

Signs of Burnout

Feelings of

Low personal accomplishment

Emotional exhaustion

Depersonalization


A Stress Quiz

• Conditions at work are unpleasant or even unsafe.

• I feel that my job is making me physically or emotionally sick.

• I have too much work or too many unreasonable deadlines.

• I can’t express my opinions or feelings about my job to my boss.

• My work interferes with my family or personal life.

• I have no control over my life at work.

• My good performance goes unrecognized and unrewarded.

• My talents are underutilized at work.


An Inverted U Relationship Between Stress and Performance


Exhibit 9.1

Sources of Stress


Job Responsibilities

Personal Life

Membership in Groups

Work-Life Balance

Environmental Uncertainty

Personal Sources of Stress

Minor Life Events Getting a speeding ticket

Have trouble with your in-laws

Getting caught in traffic

Going on vacation

Getting a new assignment at work

Major Life Events Death of a loved one

Divorce

Serious illness

Getting arrested

Getting married

Buying a house

Having a baby


Job-Related Stressors

• Role conflict

• Role ambiguity

• Overload

• Underload

• Challenging assignments

• Economic well-being and job security


Group- and Organization-Related Stressors

• Cultural differences

• Uncomfortable working conditions

• Unsafe working conditions

• Mergers and acquisitions


Work-Life Balance

Elder care

Child care

Value conflict


Environmental Uncertainty

• Global instability

• Aftermath of war and terrorism

• SARS

• Corporate scandals

• Exposure to toxins


Coping Strategies for Individuals

Emotion-focused

Exercise

Meditation

Social support

Clinical counseling

Problem-focused

Time management

Mentoring

Role negotiation


Time-Management Steps

• Make lists of all tasks to accomplish during

day

• Prioritize tasks

• Estimate length of time required to complete

each task


Nonfunctional Coping Strategies

• Eating

• Drinking

• Taking drugs


Coping Strategies for Organizations

Emotion-focused

On-site exercise facilities

Organizational support

Employee assistance

programs

Personal days/

sabbaticals

Problem-focused Job redesign

Job rotation

Uncertainty reduction

Job security

Company day care

Flextime/job sharing

Telecommuting


OB Today: Alleviating Stress Through Organizational Support

• Layoffs especially stressful at small companies.

• Close personal relationships develop making layoffs more difficult.

To boost morale Companies show employees support by:

• Helping laid off employees find new jobs.

• Give current employees extra incentives on the job.

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 23

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