Managing Stress and Work-Life Balance

Understanding and Managing

Organizational Behavior

Chapter 9

Sixth EditionJennifer 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

9-2Copyright © 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

9-3Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

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

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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

effectively9-5Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

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

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Individual Differences and Stress

Personality Ability

9-7Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Personality and Stress

Self-esteem

Type A

Locus of control

Neuroticism

Extraversion

Openness to

experience

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Consequences of Stress

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PhysiologicalConsequences

BehavioralConsequences

PsychologicalConsequences

Signs of Burnout

Feelings of

Low personal accomplishment

Emotional exhaustion

Depersonalization

9-10Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

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. 9-11Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

An Inverted U Relationship Between Stress and Performance

9-12Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Exhibit 9.1

Sources of Stress

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 9-13

Job Responsibilities

Personal Life

Membership in Groups

Work-Life Balance

EnvironmentalUncertainty

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

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 9-14

Job-Related Stressors

• Role conflict

• Role ambiguity

• Overload

• Underload

• Challenging assignments

• Economic well-being and job security

9-15Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

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

9-17Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Environmental Uncertainty

• Global instability

• Aftermath of war and terrorism

• SARS

• Corporate scandals

• Exposure to toxins

9-18Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Coping Strategies for Individuals

Emotion-focused

Exercise

Meditation

Social support

Clinical counseling

Problem-focused

Time management

Mentoring

Role negotiation

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Time-Management Steps

• Make lists of all tasks to accomplish

during day

• Prioritize tasks

• Estimate length of time required to

complete each task

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Nonfunctional Coping Strategies

• Eating

• Drinking

• Taking drugs

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Coping Strategies for Organizations

Emotion-focusedOn-site exercise

facilities

Organizational

support

Employee assistance

programs

Personal days/

sabbaticals

Problem-focusedJob redesignJob rotationUncertainty reductionJob securityCompany day careFlextime/job sharingTelecommuting

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 9-22

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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