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... es the point of emotional exhaustion or burnout, you may see a rise in absenteeism and low moral. The symptoms of the ailment that are less noticeable by coworkers in most cases, but contribute to the degradation of the persons mental health are: insomnia, an increase use of drugs and alcohol, as well as marital and family problems (R. Golembiewski 1991). Impact of Stress Cases on an Organization: Stress related problems have cost industry billions of dollars. Some experts estimate the total cost of stress related aliments to be as high as 150 billion dollars a year (Newsweek 1988).
Included in this cost is reduce productivity, absenteeism and medical costs. According to L. Murphy (1986) the safety consequences of stress may cost industry a part of the 33 billion dollars associated with injuries in 1984 (National Safety Council). Injuries are caused by two circumstances, unsafe acts or unsafe conditions. In a study done by Heinrich (1931) it was found that 10 % of all industrial accident were due to unsafe conditions. That means that the remaining 90 % will fall into the unsafe act category.
Employees who acted in unsafe ways were thought to be negligent or accident prone but, in a study by Hersey (1936) it was discovered that in over 400 cases investigated, 50 % took place while employees were in an emotionally low state. This may be due to various factors including shift work or machine paced piece work (L. Murphy 1986). The largest tangible dollar value that can be put on work related stress cases are Workman Compensation costs. In 1992, Occupational Hazards that a Florida District Court of Appeal awarded benefits in a case when a man who sustained a serious back injury on the job attempted suicide due to depression.
Even though the back claim had already been settled previously, the family filed for stress benefits due to depression and anxiety. The court granted benefits based on the stress defense (Occupational Hazards 1992). How big is the stress problem in the United States? Well in 1988 alone stress claims accounted for 14 % of all occupational diseases filed (Newsweek). This number is 3 times higher than 1980 and is still on the rise. More recent information from interviews with a cross-section of about 600 American workers reviled that: 33 % seriously thought about quitting work because of job stress, and they expected to "burn out" on the job in the near future.
Of the people interviewed, it was thought that job stress is the single greatest stress in their life. (web) NCCI In another case Health vs Hughes Aircraft the employee accepted a lump settlement of $ 20, 000 for a stress claim when he suffered a minor nervous breakdown and lost his job with the company. Yet another case in 1986 was settled out of court for $ 50, 000 that involved a manager of a furniture rental store. After one year of hearings and court costs, the employee was awarded the lump sum payment due to stress induced by a hostile supervisor (Newsweek 1986). No doubt about it stress claims are on the rise, and industry is spending billions in court costs, lost wages and medical benefits. Work Site Health and Stress Management Programs: The research display in this paper establishes the increase of stress related problems in industry, the next logical step is to become proactive; prevent the degradation of mental health through stress management. In a survey performed by J.
Fielding (1989) over 59 % of companies with 750 employees or more have some type of stress management program in place and 87 % have a health and fitness program in place. These statistics demonstrate the commitment companies are making to help the employees' mental health and physical well-being. The facility I work at has a Employee Assistance Program that has its roots in the late 1970 's. During this time frame, the company and the union recognized the need for a jointly administered employee assistance program. The program had remained at status quo for a number of years and its effectiveness was questioned, and rightly so.
One single, reactive program will not impact a work force the size of a small town in Nebraska (about 1800 employees). In 1989 with an increase in medical staff, a more proactive approach began with the company offering aerobics and karate classes on site at no charge to the employees'. As more employees showed an interest in these programs the Medical Manager decided to expand the companies health and lifestyle improvement program. The first order of business was to find out where the need was. Free health screening was offered to all on-site and was performed by a professional outside company. 752 employees participated in the screening which included a lifestyle questionnaire, blood pressure check, cholesterol check and flexibility test.
The survey revealed some enlightening facts; it was discovered that 24. 5 % of the employees were suffering from hypertension on the job and 34 % of the survey group was 20 % over-weight. For the employees with hypertension, regular blood pressure monitoring on-site is done. Also, in an effort to calm the work force, a 240 gallon aquarium has been set up in the main cafeteria area. Physical activity does help relive stress, a 8 / 10 mile Nature Trail was installed in 1993.
The trail circles the facility and is tastefully landscaped with fruit, hardwood and evergreen trees. Due to the popularity of the trail, a 4 / 10 of a mile spur was recently added. This section was developed into the woods on the perimeter of the property and gives employees that "back to nature feeling. In 1994, the management team, which consists of 51 individuals, took part in a stress management class and were surveyed using the Stress Audit provided by Biobehavioral Associates. The survey was similar to the Holmes & Rate scale but was more detailed and included questioning on current health. This audit is one more tool to assist managers into a healthier, more relaxed state of mind thus reducing stress levels.
Summary: In today's fast paced society trying to cope with occupational and social stress is challenge for everyone. Some people view occupational stress a necessary life style to stay competitive in an aggressive business or manufacturing setting. If an individual is bombarded by enough stressors, burn out may be inevitable. Individuals who are exposed to stressors on the job, and / or at home are at risk of becoming physically and psychologically ill. Even though social stress can contribute to occupational stress, and visa versa, as of yet no conclusive research has shown the cumulative effects of the two environments (S. Klintzman 1990).
After looking at all the facts it is very obvious to see that stress is an unavoidable fact of life. If properly monitored and controlled through stress reduction techniques and a healthy lifestyle we all can reduce, but never total eliminate stress from our lives. With this in mind I can certainly rewrite the follow old adage; "The only thing certain in life is death, stress and taxes. " Bibliography References Books Evans G. , Cohen S. (1987) Environmental Stress Handbook of Environmental Psychology chapter 15, vol 1 Wiley Interscience Publication, New York, NY. , 572 - 576 Kahn, R. L. & Byoriere, P. (1992) Stress in Organizations Handbook of Organizational Psychology, 2 nd ed. , Vol 3 571 - 575, Palo Alto CA: Consulting Psychologist Press Periodicals and Journals Bacharach Samuel B, Bamberger Peter & Conley (1991) Work Home Conflict Among Nurses and Engineers Journal of Organizational Behavior Jan vol 12, 39 - 53 Golembiewski, Robert & Munzenrider Robert (1991) Burnout and Mental Health: A Pilot Study Organizational Development Journal, Sum Vol 9, 51 - 57 Heirch, Max (1989) Making Stress Management Relevant to worksite wellness Advances Spr Vol 6, 36 - 40 Hendrix William H; Steel Robert P & Schultz Sherry A (1987) Job Stress and Life Stress Journal of Social Behavior & Personality Aug Vol 2, 291 - 302 Klintzman Susan; House James s; Israel Barbara A & Mero Richard P (1990) Work Stress, Non-work Stress & Health Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Jun Vol 13, 221 - 243 Murphy L R; Dubois David & Hurrel, Joseph (1986) Accident Reduction Through Stress Management Journal of Business and Psychology Fall Volume 1, 5 - 18 Newsweek Publication Business Section (1988) Newsweek April 25, 42 - 45 Penton Publication Workers' Comp Update (1992) Occupational Hazards, Oct, 173 - 178 Quick, Jonathan D; Home Rebecca S & Quick, James (1986) Health Consequences of Stress Journal of Organizational Behavior Management Fal-Win Vol 8, 19 - 36 Electronic Media National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. Available web Bibliography:
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