CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the Study
The human resource is the most vital component that influences the productivity in an organization. In this epoch of dynamic changes and intricacies, employees are rightly called the source of attaining and sustaining competitive edge of any organization. However, they suffer from numerous problems like stress and dissatisfaction in their workplace and job environment which has serious implications for employee performance (Zafar, Ali, Hameed and Ilyas, 2015).
The phenomenon of stress is becoming increasingly globalized and affects all countries and all professions. Occupational stress is a term used to define ongoing stress that is related to the workplace. The stress may have to do with responsibilities associated with the work itself, or caused by conditions that are based in the corporate culture or personality conflict. As with other forms of tension, occupational stress can eventually affect both physical and emotional well being if not managed effectively (Chovwen, 2013).
Stress can be positive (Eustress) or negative (Distress). Eustress results can be stimulating that enhances work performance and positively encourages workers to make efforts. Distress results in negative effects over worker’s health and performance. Employee performance is adversely affected by workplace stress (Fogarty cited in Zafar, Ali, Hameed and Ilyas, 2015). This in turn reduces the effectiveness of the employees and organization (Jimmieson et al., 2004). Such job stress often results in workplace accidents (Moore, 2000).
Specifically, job stress can affect a person’s health when the workplace stressors exceed an employee’s ability to have control over or cope with the situation. It can result from factors involving innovation of new technology, work shift, deadlines, longer working periods, job security, commuting to work, hostile working environment and job description. A boring and monotonous job, for instance, can make an employee feel distressed, thus, stifling motivation to perform well, whereas a challenging job can make an employee experience eustress, and enhance motivation to perform well (Chovwen, 2013).