Dec 10, 2009 - Disagreeable work environment. â Lack of career development. â Weak interpersonal relationships of employees. â Role ambiguity and role ...
WORK-RELATED STRESS IN PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS Presented by
ASHFAQ AHMAD Research Scholar Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad
Date: 10th December 2009
Layout of the Presentation •
Introduction
•
Methods
•
Findings and Results
•
Conclusions
•
Recommendations
Introduction • Stress a global problem in relation to work environment • Stress - a normal reaction to an abnormal situation • The idea of ‘fight or flight’ - first important explanation of ‘stress’ by an American physiologist (Cannon, 1915). • The modern perception of stress - general breakdown of the body in response to the wear and tear of modern life (Selye, 1950) • Focus on stress factors like career development, employee relationships/roles and workload during the last 50 years.
Introduction….Contd. • Objective of the study – to explore the construct of work-related stress in the public sector work environment in Pakistan, keeping in view the following characteristics of stress: – – – – – –
Disagreeable work environment Lack of career development Weak interpersonal relationships of employees Role ambiguity and role conflict Abnormal workload Stress related health outcomes 4
Methods • • • • • • • • • • •
Research paradigm: Interpretivist Research strategy: Qualitative Research design: Explorative & explanatory Target organization: Department of the Auditor General of Pakistan Population: Accounts/Audit/R&D Offices of the target organization Sampling frame: List of AGP offices located in Lahore Sampling technique: Non-probability convenience sampling Sample size: 300 respondents, 93 received duly filled in (n = 93) Sampling instrument: Questionnaire survey Unit of analysis: Officers (Senior/Middle/Lower levels) & Staff Data collection: Qualitative content analysis conducted for past perspective. Primary data collected through self-administered questionnaire survey to look at the problem in current perspective • Statistical tools: Descriptive statistics & percentiles using SPSS 16
Figure 1 – Conceptual Framework Work Environment
Type A Personality Sleeplessness Competitiveness
Monotony Lack of challenge
Irritability
Mental Illnesses
Depression
Weight gains
High Liquor intake
Lower back pains
Hypertension
Musculoskeletal Pains
Patience
Extreme Temperatures
Aggression
Continuous Computer work Low span of Control
Personality Traits Lack of Career Development
Somatic Tensions
Impatience with work
Career Development
Demoralization
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)
Poor Physical and Mental Health
Job insecurity
Coronary Heart Diseases (CHDs)
Improper Appraisal systems Performance evaluation Lack of Proactive behaviors
Individual symptoms of Stress
Stress-related Health Outcomes
Organizational Symptoms of Stress
Stress-related Organizational Outcomes
Redundancy
Employee Relationships Relations with superiors
WORK RELATED STRESS
Relations with subordinates Organizational politics Lack of support at work Severe job pressures Absenteeism
Employee Roles Role Ambiguity
Sickness related absenteeism
Role Conflict
Poor Employee Relationships Home work Interface Workload
Abnormal Workload Abnormal Work Schedules Loss of Leisure
Lack of social Support
Difficulties in individual relationships Distorted org. image Appthy
Lack of home support
Lack of commitment
High Turnover
Prolonged Strikes
Frequent Accidents Non-achievement of goals
Poor Performance
Figure 2 – Research Design
Negative impact on Physical Health
Disagreeable Work Environment
Lack of Career Development
STRESS
Weak Interpersonal Relationships
Health Outcomes of Stress
Role Ambiguity & Role Conflict Negative impact on Mental Health Abnormal Workload & Work Schedule
