Stress Management

I/O Psychology in My Life Free Write Describe a job in which you were very stressed. What caused the stress? What did you do to reduce the stress?

Stress Terms Stress Stressor Strain The psychological and physical reaction to certain life events or situations. Stressor The life event that causes stress Strain The consequences of stress

Types of Stress Eustress Distress Stress converted to positive energy Desirable outcome of stress Motivational results Optimal level of arousal Distress Negative outcome Results in emotional and physical illness

Can stress be a good thing? Let's Talk Can stress be a good thing?

Predisposition to Stress Stress Personalities Type A vs. Type B Pessimists vs. Optimists Neuroticism Gender, Ethnicity, Race Stress Sensitization

Your Stress Personality Exercises 15.1 & 15.2

Sources of Stress Personal Stressors Fear Resistance Resentment

Sources of Stress Occupational Stressors Job Characteristics Role conflict Role ambiguity Role overload Organizational Characteristics Person/organization fit Change Relations with others Organizational politics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Z9yOEH6oQ

Correlates of Employee Stress Antecedents Corrected Correlation Meta-Analysis Organizational Politics .45 Miller et al. (2008) Job Insecurity .19 Sverke et al. (2002) Lack of Fit Person-job .28 Kristof-Brown et al. (2005) Person-organization .27 Lack of Support Coworkers .18 Viswesvaran et al. (1999) Supervisors .24

Sources of Stress Physical Work Environment Noise Temperature Work schedule

Noise

Important Noise Factors Most Disruptive Least Disruptive High frequency Low frequency Unpleasant Pleasant Intermittent Continuous Unnecessary Necessary Unpredictable Predictable Unfamiliar Familiar Person is noise sensitive Person is not noise sensitive

Effects of Noise on Health Hearing loss Increased blood pressure More frequent illness

Effects of Noise on Performance Affects quality more than quantity Decreased performance on cognitive tasks Decreased job satisfaction

Effects of Noise on Behavior Narrowed focus Lower altruism Decreased eye contact Increased rate of walking

Effects of Noise at Different Levels Source of Noise Decibels Effect Rocket launch 180 Jet takeoff 130 Brief exposure can cause deafness Riveting machine 115 Maximum legal exposure Textile weaving plant 100 Blood pressure increases Food blender 95 Cognitive performance drops Employees report more illness Angry people increase aggressiveness City traffic 90 Legal acceptable noise limit for 8-hour day Noisy restaurant 70 Telephone use is difficult

Hours of Exposure Maximum Decibels OSHA Noise Limits Hours of Exposure Maximum Decibels 8 90 (city traffic) 6 92 4 95 (food blender) 2 100 1 105 1/2 110 (lawn mower) 1/4 115 (riveting machine) 120 (disco) 130 (jet takeoff)

Reducing Noise Legal limits to noise exposure Change the environment (e.g., carpet, acoustic tiles) Reduce noise reaching employee (e.g., ear plugs) Reduce noise emitted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5po134s79Nw

Temperature

Temperature Body reduces heat by Body increases heat by radiation evaporation Body increases heat by constricting blood vessels Effective temperature air temperature humidity airflow temperature of objects in the environment

Effects of Temperature Depend on temperature task type workload amount of exposure rest periods

Work Schedules

Shift Work 25% of employees work evening or night shifts Shift work can disrupt circadian rhythm Factors affecting impact of shift work Uniqueness of shift Fixed versus rotating shift Frequency of rotation Direction of the rotation Individual differences (chronotype) Night people Morning people

Sources of Stress Other Sources Minor frustration Forecasting Residual

Consequences of Stress Organizational Job performance (curvilinear relationship) Burnout Absenteeism Turnover Drug/alcohol abuse Health care costs

Signs of Burnout Less energy Lower productivity Being late to work Complaining and negativity Decreased concentration Forgetfulness Apathy Dread coming to work Feeling overwhelmed Tension and frustration Feelings of little impact on coworkers or the organization

Correlates of Employee Stress Consequences Corrected Correlation Meta-Analysis Job Performance - .13 Miller et al. (2008) Turnover Actual .13 Kristof-Brown et al. (2005) Intended .41 OCBs - .16 Job Satisfaction - .34 Viswesvaran et al. (1999) Commitment - .31

Consequences of Stress Personal Psychological Depression Anxiety Anger Sleep problems Physical Illness Headaches Joint pain Behaviors Smoking Drinking Drug abuse

Managing Stress Planning for Stress Exercise Laughter Diet Smoking reduction Sleep Support groups Self-empowerment Coping skills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk2VvBB6VmM

Lifestyle Questionnaire Exercise 15.3

Self-Empowerment Exercise 15.4

Managing Stress During and After Stress Relaxation techniques Abdominal breathing Progressive muscle relaxation Meditation Time management

Life/Work Interventions Assist With Child Care Why the Concern? 40% of employees have children Lack of child care results in 8 more days of absenteeism Organizational Strategies (SHRM, 2014) Allow employee to bring child to work in emergency (26%) Provide referral service (10%) Subsidize cost of child care (3%) Provide on-site child care facility (<1%) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bLYIQlfGdY

Life/Work Interventions Assist With Elder Care Why the Concern? 33% of employees provide elder care 50% of employees missed work, were late, or quit their jobs due to elder care responsibilities Organizational Strategies (SHRM, 2014) Provide referral service (11%) Provide emergency elder care (<1%) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bgpoDDz1vw&feature=related

Life/Work Interventions Provide Alternative Work Schedules Percent Offering Flextime 52 Compressed work week 29 Job sharing 9 Source: SHRM 2014 Benefits Survey

Life/Work Interventions Wellness Programs Percent Offering Wellness information 79 EAP 74 Health screening 47 Smoking cessation program 42 Subsidize fitness center dues 34 Weight loss programs 32 Source: SHRM 2014 Benefits Survey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aAQ1qCgvMs&feature=related

Life/Work Interventions Assist with Daily Chores Company Benefit Percent Offering Legal assistance 21 Dry cleaning 9 Concierge service 3 Provide take-home meals 2 Source: SHRM 2014 Benefits Survey

What should organizations do to reduce stress? Let's Talk What should organizations do to reduce stress?

Workplace Violence

Workplace Violence Statistics Types of Workplace Violence Homicide reason for 12% of workplace fatalities 1% of employees annually victims of workplace violence Rate of workplace violence has been declining since 1993 Types of Workplace Violence Homicides during commission of a crime (70%) Homicide of a law enforcement officer (19%) Acts of vengeance against employee (11%) Committed by current employee (44%) Former employees (23%) Domestic violence (21%) Other (12%) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI7s9EPC9Co&feature=related

Workplace Violence Perpetrators Male (80%) 20 - 50 years of age (usually in his 40s) Self-esteem tied to job Feels there is no other way of resolving his mistreatment other than violence Demonstrated a recent pattern of problems at work Has recently tried to get others to take his dilemma seriously by threatening, yelling, etc. Has begun showing signs of paranoid thinking Has become isolated and withdrawn Has ready access to guns

Reducing Workplace Violence Security measures Better employee screening methods Increased management awareness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2leLuzA77yM&feature=related

What should a manager if she believes an employee is dangerous? Let's Talk What should a manager if she believes an employee is dangerous?

Putting it all Together Applied Case Study: Reducing Stress

Does the organization have an obligation to reduce stress? Let's Talk Focus on Ethics Does the organization have an obligation to reduce stress?

What Do You Think? Do you think companies have an ethical responsibility to offer solutions for employees that will help reduce stress? Do you think companies are to blame for the high stress levels in the workplace? What are some things that companies can offer or do for their employees? Do you think employees have any responsibility for ensuring they stay healthy under stressful conditions? If so, what are some things that employees can do for themselves?