Stress Management Programs - Essay Example

Basically, “stress is a dynamic condition in an individual who is confronted with an opportunity, constraint or demand for something of which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important,” (Robbins, 1993, p. 635). Stress can lead to autonomic overload and this can impact on the proper functioning of the nervous system (Hambly & Muir, 2005). In an organization, stress needs to be managed carefully since it can be counterproductive if holistic measures are not taken. This paper seeks to outline some of the company sponsored management programs and they are listed in order of their importance with regards to benefits to the employees.

Stress in the workplace can be managed through improved personnel selection and job placement. According to Robbins (1993), people with little or an external locus control tend to be more stress prone. Therefore, it is imperative for the management to ensure that a person has experience or is capable of coping with the demands of the job before he is appointed to a certain position in the organization. In some cases, a person may have experience but incapable of coping with the demands of the job.

This aspect is very important in as far as stress management is concerned. The other important strategy that can be implemented by the management is related to goal setting. The use of goals to different individuals helps to reduce stress and they can also lead to motivation of the employees. It is also important for the management to provide goal feedback to the employees since this helps to reduce uncertainties among the workers. Another stress management program that can be implemented is related to job redesign.

According to Robbins (1993), job redesigning helps the employees to be more responsible, it gives them more autonomy and it also gives them more control of their work which reduces stress since they are no longer dependent on others. A person who has control over his job is motivated and is likely to be stress free. The other dimension that can be implemented by management to address the issue of stress is related to participative decision making. By virtue of giving the employees a voice to contribute towards the decision making process, the management is in a position of increasing employee control of their work which helps to reduce stress.

It is important that the managers should increase employee participation in the decision making process of the company so as to be in a position to minimize chances of stress related problems in the company.The other stress management program that can be implemented is related to increasing formal organizational communication among the members. Communication helps reduce uncertainty as well as conflicts that may arise among the employees and the management in particular. Effective communication in the organization helps to shape employee perceptions about their work and organization as a whole.

Thought less important, management can also implement wellness programs to improve the employees’ physical and mental health condition. This helps the employees to remain fit to perform different tasks which can also help to reduce stress in the workplace. ReferencesHambly, K. & Muir, A. (2005). Coping with a stressed nervous system. London. Sheldon Press.Robbins, S.P. (1993). Organisational behaviour: Concepts, controversies andapplications. 6th Edition. NJ: Prentice Hall.