Stress In The Workplace

Stress In The Workplace

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Terms of Reference                   1
2. Procedure   2
3. Findings 3

3.1 What is Stress?                   3

3.2 Causes of Stress                   3

3.3 Management of Stress                   3

3.4 Symptoms of Stress                   4

3.5 Organisation                   5

4. Conclusions     6

5. Recommendations     7

6. Appendices     8

7. Bibliography     9


1. Terms of Reference
Elizabeth McPhie has been asked to compile a report on stress by Bill Connolly, Chief Executive of the Information and Technical Service, to investigate the causes of high absenteeism amongst staff within the service.   The report is to be submitted on the 14th November 2008.


2. Procedure
In order to complete this report information was gathered from the following sources:
? Internet
? Company Policy
? Discussions with members of staff

3. Findings
3.1 What is Stress?


The definition of stress is "the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them" . Recent research has shown that this 'adverse reaction' can seriously undermine the quality of people's working lives and, in turn, the effectiveness of the workplace.   The transactional model (see appendix 1) sees stress arising from an interaction between people and their environment.

Stress takes many forms. As well as leading to anxiety and depression it can have a significant impact on an employee's physical health. Research links stress to heart disease, back pain, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances and alcohol and drug dependency.

3.2 Causes of Stress

Stress is an individual response to a set of stress-inducing stimuli.   Perhaps one of the most important current stressors is ‘change’.   However, others could include legislation, role changes within management and staff functions, increased competition or competition as a new...