Working Women and Stress

Working Wo manpower and StressGender-specific body of range render factors, such as sex discrimination and balancing invent and family demands, may have an issue on women workers above and beyond the impact of general ancestry showors such as lineage overload and skill below-utilization. loaded barriers to financial and c atomic number 18r advancement have been linked to more than frequent corporal and mental symptoms and more frequent visits to the doctor.The most effective way of step-down work deform is through organisational change in the workplace. This holds true for decrease work tenor in female and male workers alike. Workplaces that actively dissuade sexual discrimination and agony, and promote family-friendly policies, appear to foster worker loyalty and attachment regard little of gender, studies indicate. Organizational changes effective for reducing project song among women workers intromit expanding promotion and c beer ladders, introducing famil y-support programs and policies, and enforcing policies against sex discrimination and sexual harassment.2.28 The article Women in Construction Occupational wellness and Working Conditions, finds thatWomen may receive less on-the- wrinkle safety mentoring than men from supervisors and co-workers. This can create a potentially dangerous cycle in which tradeswomen are asked to do ph hotshot lines for which they are non properly trained, wherefore are injured when they do them or are seen as incompetent when they are unable to do them.Women in social organisation have reported harassment and verbal ab intent by co-workers and isolation on the romp severe enough that some women have looked for some other employment.Patterns of work-related construction fatalities differ for men and women. For example, women construction laborers are at in high spiritser risk than male laborers of closing from motor vehicle injuries, but less likely to be at risk of death from falls, machinery r elated injuries, or being struck by objects. Further research is needed to determine why these differences exist.(http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html) (14)2.29 In one contemplate relating to MSDs, NIOSH worked with the Internal taxation Service (IRS) to examine interventions for reducing discomfort among IRS data entry workers, the studyity of whom are female. NIOSH found that periodic rest breaks throughout the work shift rock-bottom musculoskeletal discomfort, while allowing workers to maintain job surgical operation. (15)2.30 According to NIOSH ,Stress at work is another issue of concern., stress at work is a growing line of work for all workers, including women. In one survey, 60 pct of employed women cited stress as their number one problem at work. Furthermore, levels of stress-related illness are roughly twice as high for women as for men.Many job conditions contribute to stress among women, according to NIOSH. Such job conditions include heavy workload demands teen sy-weensy get a line over work role ambiguity and conflict job insecurity poor relationships with coworkers and supervisors and work that is narrow, repetitive, and monotonous. (16)-2.31 Journal of Occupational and Environ psychological Medicine(2005) showwellness care expenditures are well-nigh 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress.2.32 Encyclopaedia of Occupational Safety and Health (2001) with title stock Stress and HealthWhat the Research Tells Us2.32.1Cardiovascular DiseaseMany studies suggest that psychologically demanding jobs that allow employees little control over the work process increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.2.32.2Musculoskeletal DisordersOn the basis of research by NIOSH and many other organizations, it is widely believed that job stress increases the risk for development of back and upper- extremity musculoskeletal disorders.2.32.3Psychological Disordersseveral(prenominal) studies suggest that differences in rates of mental health prob lems (such as depression and burnout) for various occupations are due partly to differences in job stress levels. (Economic and life-style differences among occupations may also contribute to some of these problems.)2.32.4Workplace InjuryAlthough more pick up is needed, there is a growing concern that stressful running(a) conditions step in with safe work practices and set the stage for injuries at work.2.32.5Suicide, Cancer, Ulcers, and Impaired Immune FunctionSome studies suggest a relationship amidst stressful operative conditions and these health problems. However, more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn-2.33 NIOSH(2001) research has identified organizational characteristics with title Stress, Health, and ProductivitySome employers take aim that stressful working conditions are a necessary evil-that companies must turn up the pressure on workers and set aside health concerns to remain amentiferous and profitable in todays economy. But research findin gs challenge this belief. Studies show that stressful working conditions are actually associated with increased absenteeism, tardiness, and intentions by workers to quit their jobs-all of which have a negative effect on the bottom line.Recent studies of so-called legal organizations suggest that policies benefiting worker health also benefit the bottom line. A healthy organization is defined as one that has low rates of illness, injury, and disability in its workforce and is also competitive in the marketplace. NIOSH research has identified organizational characteristics associated with both healthy, low-stress work and high levels of productivity. Examples of these characteristics include the followingRecognition of employees for good work performanceOpportunities for career developmentAn organizational culture that values the item-by-item workerManagement actions that are consistent with organizational values(19)2.34 St. Paul Fire and Marin(2007) Insurance Company conducted seve ral studies on the effects of stress prevention programs in hospital settings.(Journal of Applied Psychology) one with titleStress Prevention and Job PerformanceProgram activities included (1) employee and perplexity education on job stress, (2) changes in hospital policies and procedures to reduce organizational sources of stress, and (3) establishment of employee assistance programs.2.34.1 In one study, the frequency of medication errors declined by 50% after prevention activities were implemented in a 700-bed hospital. In a second study, there was a 70% reduction in malpractice claims in 22 hospitals that implemented stress prevention activities. In contrast, there was no reduction in claims in a matched group of 22 hospitals that did not implement stress prevention activities.2.35 According to data from the chest of drawers of Labor Statistics(2004), workers who must take term off work because of stress, anxiety, or a related disorder will be off the job for somewhat 20 days .2.36 Northwestern National Life Insurance(1992), Minneapolis, 1992,as reported in Work in America, Vol. 17, No. 6, June 1992. Employee burnout Causes and cures, Part 1 Employee stress levels,GENDER practice AND tasteIn a survey carried out in 1992 of nearly 1,300 full-time employees in a random sample of private companies in the united States, it was found that gender, among other factors (the level of the employee in the organization, income, occupation and family situation), accounted for differences in job stress at the workplace.The survey found that stress affects women more than men, and that they are monumentally more likely to report burnout, stress-related illnesses or a desire to resign from their jobs. The researchers suggested several reasons for this. In the first place, women are often paid less than men for their work, even if they have college degrees. Many organizations also pretermit policies which respond to family issues.Single women with children, a consi derable with low-paid college graduates, are at highest risk of burnout. Some 50 per cent of iodine women with children reported burnout, compared to 31 per cent of married women with children.2.37 European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2001)reported these figures in Research on work-related stress,The following are late(a) estimates which related to the cost of work-related stressIn the United Kingdom, it has been suggested that over 40 jillion working days are lost each family due to stress-related disordersIn Australia, the Federal Assistant Minister for Industrial relations estimated the cost of occupational stress to be around A$30 million in 1994In the United States, over half of the 550 million working days lost each yr due to absenteeism are stress-related.2.38 Several recent studies by ILO(2004) have highlighted the links amongst work-related stress, violence at work, the abuse of drugs and alcohol and tobacco consumption. These studies tend to suggest that str ess at work plays an pregnant role in the development of negative individual and organizational factors and forms a common element linking working conditions, substance abuse and violent acts. There appears to be a significant correlation between difficulties in relaxing after work and negative emotions such as fear, helplessness and failure. Stressful work may contribute to the development of a desire among workers to reduce tension by drinking, using drugs and other harmful substances.Alienating work has negative consequences for the development of a healthy human personality and can result in a range of problematic behaviours at the individual level, which may include the destructive use of alcohol and other substances, as well as depression and a deterioration in normal affective life. Stressful conditions may also shit an antecedent to an episode of workplace violence. (ILO) (http//www.ilo.org/public/English/safework/index.htm).$2.39 University of utara(2004), Malaysia, indo ctrinateing of accounting, treat on job stress among passkey accountants working in selected public firms, a Malaysia case, replicates and extends earlier studies on job stress in public accounting conducted in UK and Britain. It is done through an extensive review of literature on job stress and field study using the same questionnaire utilized in the earlier two studies with a little modification to suit Malaysian context.The study seeks answers to what may be the sources of stress. Psychological outcomes and moderators of the stressful situation in selected public accounting firms and whether there exist significant linear relationship between job stressors and mental strains. Further more, it attempts to find out whether different from sizes, functional areas and position levels differ significantly in the stressors confronted and strains examined by public accountants.The finding indicates that stressors face up by most respondents are quantitative workload, variations in workload, responsibilities for persons and travel, very few reports confronting role conflict and role ambiguity. As for the mental strains, respondent do not show that they are experiencing any except for job and workload dis blisss and pay inequity. It is also found that more than 10 percent of the respondents feel that they have job autonomy and that they do not possess the type A personality traits. (24)2.40 A research report in Saudi Medical Journal , (2003) titled Job satisfaction and organizationalcommitment for nursesfound that nurses in publichospitals are slightly satisfied and committed to theirhospitals. Besides, satisfied nurses tend to have a higher(prenominal)degree of commitment than less satisfied ones.2.41 A report in journal of health(2003) with title stress and suicide in nurses revealed that the relation between stress and suicide remained U shaped.when the job stress and home stress are combined,five fold increase in risk of suicide among women occurs.risk of s uicide among high stress women is more compare to low stress experience by women.2.42 School of Health Science (2002), Blekinge Institute of Technology Karlskrona, Sweden entitledThe stress experience of care for staff in intensive care therapy, concludes that stress contains amongst other the element of moral there is shortage of nurses in the health care and organisational structure too impede nursing performance to avoid the negative consequences of stress for nurses moral support is required. In ICU stress and complex situation are common for all nurses, the stress implication are sometime ethical issues, morbidity and burn out, the report revealed.2.43 Queensland University of Technology(2002), thesis with the titleTHE INFLUENCE OF WORK STRESS AND WORK SUPPORT ON BURNOUTIN PUBLIC HOSPITAL NURSES states that Australian nurses reported low to moderate levels of work stress, moderate levels of work support and more or less high levels of burnout.Work stressors, were the main pr edictors of Emotional Exhaustion, Conflic.Changes in the objective conditions at work have had major implications fornurses subjective experiences of work, with increasing numbers of nurses feeling accentuate and as a consequence, are opting to work part-time or leave the profession.2.44 HSJ HEALTH SCIENCE JOURNAL (2005), REPORT CARRYING THE TITLE FACTORS INFLUENCING STRESS AND occupation SATISFACTION OF NURSES WORKING IN PSYCHIATRIC UNITSA strong negative relationship was found between clinical leadership, inter-professional collaboration, and stress and job satisfaction. Although a corroboratory relationship between clinical leadership and nurses job satisfaction was found, the association between clinical leadership and quality of inter-professional collaboration is unclear. The association between these variables and job satisfaction is positive but tenuous. In addition, a positive but weak relationship was revealed between the clinical leadership and the quality of relations hips amongst nurses. Organisational issues, lack of nursing staff and patient care were found to be related to ward type mental health nurses stress emerged as mediating variables between stress and job satisfaction. A hypothetical model of the relationships between these variables is presented for testing at a future study.2.45 A research study by Deptt of medicine (2006). University of Ottawa, enitiled, prevalence of burnout, job stress and job satisfactionThe findings are that medical personnel are experiencing burnout and high levels of stress and that large numbers are considering leaving or decrease their work hours. This is an important finding for the cancer care system, where super trained and experienced health care workers are already in short supply.2.46 A research paper, School of Health Care Practice 2006, Anglia Polytechnic University, Chelmsford, Essex(2009), UK, entitled Workplace stress in nursing a literature review,finds. Workload, management style, professional conflict and emotionalcost of caring and leadership style, lack of reward and shift working are the main sources of stress for nurses for many years. Stress management programe should concentrate on stress prevention as well as how organization should takle this vital issue.2.47 The Graduate College University of Wisconsin-Stout(2005), a Research Paper with titleoccupational STRESS INMENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS,concludes thatThe Weiman Occupational Stress Scale, introduced in1978, is designed to measure perceived levels of occupational stress. The mental healthcounselors involved in completing the survey instruments scored an average of 2.57 on afive point scale, with past administrations of the Weiman Occupational Stress Scalehaving yielded a baseline score of 2.25. The mental health counselors in this study scoredon average 13% higher than the calculated WOSS baseline.employees in publiclyfunded institutions (Winnebago Mental Health) experience greater perceived work stressthan thos e counselors in privately funded clinics.2.48 Research survey conducted by Carol Brewer(2000) has shown that new nurses face considerable professional stress and would benefit from improved nursing managementNewly licensed nurses considered their jobs difficult, and they worked long hours 51 percent worked voluntary overtime, 13 percent mandatory overtime. Sixty-one percent were assigned to nights, evenings or rotating shifts. most two-thirds 62.78 percent said their work interfered with family life on at least four days a month, according to the results.Survey participants also reported a somewhat hazardous working environment a quarter of respondents sustained at least one needle-stick in a year 39 percent at least one strain or sprain 21 percent a cut or laceration, 46 percent a violate or contusion, and 62 percent reported experiencing verbal abuse on the job. A quarter found it difficult or impossible to do their jobs at least once a week due to inadequate supplies, the stu dy showed.2.49 An Exploration study of Job Stressors ofClinical Nursing Instructors in Taiwan(2001) found that clinical nursing instructors work-related stressors include inadequate role occupancy, increasing work demands, deficient role preparedness, lowered role control, insufficient role support, and role bargain. When a clinical instructor with lowered role control experiences more stressors, the situation of role stress will deteriorate. Role support and role bargain are the buffers of work-related stress to adapt clinical instructors for the rapidly changing educational and medical environment. Consequently, adequate role credibility for role occupancy is a necessary strategy for reducing clinical instructors work-related strain during organizational rapid change.2.50 European Journal(2005) of Social Sciences ,article entitled Link between Job Stress and Job Satisfaction,Show that there is a significant negative relationshipbetween job stress and job satisfaction.According to Stamps Piedmonte (1986) job satisfaction has been found significant relationship with job stress. One study ofgeneral practitioners in England identified four job stressors that were predictive of job dissatisfaction(Cooper, et al., 1989). In other study, Vinokur-Kaplan (1991) stated that organization factors such asworkload and working condition were negatively related with job satisfaction. Fletcher Payne (1980)identified that a lack of satisfaction can be a source of stress, while high satisfaction can alleviate theeffects of stress. This study reveals that, both of job stress and job satisfaction were found to be interrelated.The study of Landsbergis (1988) and Terry et al. (1993) showed that high levels of work stressare associated with low levels of job satisfaction. Moreover, Cummins (1990) have emphasized thatjob stressors are predictive of job dissatisfaction and greater propensity to leave the organization.Sheena et al. (2005) studied in UK found that there are some occup ations that are reporting worse thanaverage scores on each of the factors such as physical health, psychological well-being, and jobsatisfaction. The relationship between variables can be very important to academician. If a definite linkexists between two variables, it could be possible for a academician to provide intervention in order toincrease the level of one of the variables in hope that the intervention will also improve the othervariable as well (Koslowsky, et al., 1995).2.51 A Study of Job Stress and Job Satisfaction among UniversityStaff in Malaysia a research article(2007) investigates the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction. Inverse relationship exist between job stress and job satisfaction The determinants of job stress that have been examined under this study include, management role, relationship with others, workload pressure, homework interface, role ambiguity, and role conflict.2.5 Faculty of Education(2001),University of Ibadan, article, Effects o f Job Stress ,states that stress has negative effect on health, physical and mental,work behaviour,and performance,satisfavtion level.2.53 Heavy workloads, difficult students and lack of resources are stressing out Australian teachers(1999). Many also experience stress from increasing violence and bullying. In one recent year, 274 teachers in Victoria were either assaulted or threatened by students and another 70 were attacked by colleagues. Over the past five years , 910 teachers in Victoria and 1150 teachers in New South Wales have filed worker compensation claims for anxiety,depression,nervous breakdown and other stress related symptom.Union leaders say these figures are just the tip of the iceberg Teacher are very reluctant to proceed with those claims because it just adds another problem and additional stress, explains Australian education coupling president John GregoryTeaching in Australia may be stressful, but the profession seems to be under siege in the Uk , Janice Howell a primary school teacher in Newport (South Wales)is one of the casualties. She initially had the assistance of an English language teacher but that teacher took long-term leave with no replacement. Unable to distinguish with 28 kids, 11 of them with learning or behavioral difficulties, Howell had a nervous breakdown. by and by recovering several months later, Howell complained to the school about the intolerable stress. Rather than providing support, the school added two more troubled kids to Howells class. One student, new to Wales, ran away one morning and was seen playing near dangerous mudflats. Although he was taken home safely, no one told Howell until the end of the day. This led to Howells second breakdown, ending her career.From being a confident, well adjusted teacher who enjoyed her job I became depressed and dysfunctional, says Howell for the first time in my life I did not want to go to work. It got to the stage that I was physically unable to enter the classroom.(DD) 2.54 Nebuo Miuro (1999) quoted in the book about stress that employees are under a lot of pressure from his employer to get a new restaurant ready for its launch. The interiors fitter from Tokyo worked late, sometimes until 4.30 in the morning. After one such marathon, Miuro caught a few hour sleep, then(prenominal) return for another long day. But he didnt get very far. The 47 year old suddenly took ill and keeled over while picking up his hammer and nails. He died a week later. The corners verdict was that Miuro died of Karoshi_death by overwork.Karoshi accounts for nearly 10000 deaths each year in Japan. Research indicates that long work hours cause an unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, poor eating habits, lack of physical exercise and sleeplessness. This result in weight gain, which, along with stressful working conditions, damages the cardiovascular system and leads to strokes and heart attacks.Karoshi came to the public spotlight in the 1970s when Japans economy was booming , but the countrys current recession is making matters worse.companies are laying off employees and loading the extra work onto those who remain. Performance based expectations are replacing life qtime employment guarantees, putting further pressure on employees to work long hours. Many also blame Japans samurai spirit culture which idolizes long work hours as the ultimate symbol of company loyalty and personal fortitude. Being exhausted is considered a virtue explains a Japanese psychiatrist.So far, only when 17 percent of Japanese companies offer over stressed employees some form of counseling. However the Japanese Government has launched an advertising campaign encouraging multitude to call a Karoshi hotline for anonymous help. The families of deceased workaholics , including Nobuo Mauros relatives are also taking action by suing the employers for lack of due care.(dd)2.55 A report (2001) entitled Job Stress and Burnout Among Canadian Managers and Nurses examined the relationsh ip of job stress with burnout and its three dimensions (emotional exhaustion, lack of accomplishment and depersonalization), job satisfaction, organizational commitment and psychosomatic, health problems. Job stress was significantly correlated with overall burnout and its three dimensions and job satisfaction in both samples. In the nursing sample, job stress was also significantly correlated with psychosomatic health problems and organizational commitment. Moderated multiple regressions only marginally supported the role of gender as a moderator of stress-burnout relationship.2.56An articl (2001) on Occupational stress experienced by male and female employeesindicate that there are statistically significant differences in the stress levels of employees based on their gender. With females experiences more stress then male. And physical conditions are considered as a most stressful factor for females. Male experiences less stress with physical conditions. Women were found to experie nce more stress then male. They are more affected by physical conditions such as noise, lightning etcTop of Form2.57 Journal of Managerial Psychology(2006), report on Occupational stress in different organizations , a Saudi Arabian survey(2006) The main source of stress for employees working in private organizations is the lack of knowledge about their performance evaluation results, while this is not the case for employees working in public organizations Saudi employees have the highest levels of stress, with Arabs second, Asians third, while Westerners (Europeans and North Americans) registered the lowest levels of stress employees who are less than 30 years old experience the highest levels of stress employees with six-to-ten years of experience show the highest levels of stress and there is a significant inverse relationship between educational level and stress level.Top of FormBottom of Form2.58 An article on Occupational stress and depression in Korean employees (2001). unders taffed social support and discomfort in occupational climate is a better predictorof depressive symptoms than organizational injustice in Korea, indicates that the newlydeveloped KOSS has cultural relevance for assessing occupational stress in Korea.2.59 Department of Psychology Applied Psychology research study(2008) University of the Punjab, occupational STRESS AND JOB PERFORMANCE, indicated Workload, co-workers and repetitive work are identified as the major factors causing stress. It is concluded that there is moderate level of stress with significant difference in different departments however affect of stress is found on job performance in the selected organization.2.60 About Occupational Stress and Employee Control (1992) Industrial psychologists discovered that how much latitude employees have at work their control over job-related decisions affects their health, their morale and their ability to handle their workload. Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham (1976) reportedthat control (in terms of job-provided autonomy) enhanced motivation and growth in blue collar, white collar and professional positions. Then, in 1979, Robert Karasek(1979) found that workers whose jobs rated high in job demands yet low in employee control (as measured by latitude over decisions) reported significantly more exhaustion after work, trouble awakening in the morning, depression, nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia or disturbed sleep than other workers. When workers facing high demands had more control, their stress was lower. This major perceptiveness into how occupational stressors affect health and well-being has led to ongoing improvements in the workplace. For example, many organizations have implemented programs designed to enhance employee control.2.61 Colegio Oficial de Psic.logos (2007) s article OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND STATE OF HEALTH AMONG CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHIATRISTS revealed that the stress among mental health professionals (staff and trainees). Resul ts showed that psychiatrists experienced less stress than their colleagues, and suggest specific associations between situational stressors and state of health. In particular, frustration in carrying out their work is linked to high levels of self-reported symptoms in psychologists.2.62 A reprt presented by European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs, European Union (2007) states that work-related stress affects at least 40 million workers in its 15 Member States and that it costs the European Union approx. 20 billion annually. It is now widely declare that stress at work is a very common problem and that it has a very high cost in terms of workers health, absenteeism and lower performance. 26% of workers who reported an injury or illness felt that they suffered from stress while at work in the last 12 months, and that this percentage enhances2.63 A Report titledEffects of Job Stress on Health, Personal and Work Behaviourof Nurses in Public Hospitals (2006), Department of Social Work, Faculty of Education,University of Ibadan, Nigeria,established that job stress has significant effect on physical and mental health of the nurses. It also established that there was a significantdifference in personal and work behaviour of highly stressed nurses and less stressed nurses. Based on these findings,it was recommended that the government (Federal or State) and Hospital Management Boards should improve the welfare of the nurses. It was also recommended that their morale should be boosted by involving them in policy or decision-making concerning their welfare or care of their patients. Their salary should be reviewed and that they should be promoted as at when due. Work-home interference among nurses reciprocal relationships with job demands and healt. The higher nurses job demands, the higher is their level of work-home interference and the more likely is a general health deterioration over time, in turn giving rise to higher job demand s and work-home interference, which may even aggravate the nurses general health, and so on.( Research study by University of Ibadan, Nigeria 2006)