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Chapter 9:9:Managing Stress Managing Stress

and Work-Life and Work-Life BalanceBalance

UnderstandingAnd

ManagingOrganizational

Behavior 4th Edition

JENNIFER GEORGE JENNIFER GEORGE & GARETH JONES& GARETH JONES

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Chapter 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

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Chapter 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

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Opening Case: Doing More With Less

Is work stress out of control? Mounting levels of stress for employees

– Challenging economy– Layoffs– Global uncertainty– Fear of terrorism– Corporate scandal

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What is Stress?

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

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Individual Differences and Stress

Personality Ability

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Consequences of Stress

Physiological Psychological Behavioral

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Signs of Burnout

Feelings of – low personal accomplishment– Emotional exhaustion– depersonalization

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Figure 9.1 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.

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Figure 9.2 An Inverted U Relationship Between Stress and Performace

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Sources of Stress

Personal Life Job Responsibilities Membership in Groups/ Organization Work-Life Balance Environmental Uncertainty

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Personal Sources of Stress

Major Life Events Minor Life Events

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Job-Related Stressors

Role conflict Role ambiguity Overload Underload Challenging assignments Economic well-being and job security

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Group and Organization-Related Stressors

Cultural differences Uncomfortable working conditions Unsafe working conditions Mergers and acquisitions

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Work-Life Balance

Elder care Child care Value conflict

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Environmental Uncertainty

Global instability Aftermath of war and terrorism SARS Corporate scandals Exposure to toxins

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Coping Strategies for Individuals

Problem-focused– Time Management– Mentoring– Role Negotiation

Emotion-focused– Exercise– Meditation– Social Support– Clinical Counseling

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Nonfunctional Coping Strategies

Eating Drinking Taking drugs

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Coping Strategies for Organizations

Problem- focused– Job redesign– Job rotation– Reduction of

uncertainty– Job security– Company day care– Flextime/ job

sharing– Telecommuting

Emotion-focused– On-site exercise

facilities– Organizational

support– Employee

assistance programs

– Personal days/ Sabbaticals