Changes in working practices, such as the introduction of new
technology or the alteration of targets, may cause stress, or stress may be
built into an organization’s structure. Organizational stress can be measured
by absenteeism and quality of work.
Organizational stress
Stress affects
organizations as well as the individuals within them. An organization
with a high level of absenteeism, rapid staff turnover,
deteriorating industrial and customer relations, a worsening
safety record, or poor quality control is suffering from organizational
stress. The causes may
range from unclear or overlapping job descriptions, to lack of
communication, to poor working conditions, including “sick building
syndrome”.
This is when a lack of ventilation, insufficient lighting, and
inadequate insulation in a building contribute to consistently high
levels of illness and
absenteeism.
Following the path of stress throughout an
organization
The chart here shows one example of the structure of a department
in an organization, indicating typical causes of stress that may affect
staff at certain levels in the structure, and particular causes that
are affecting individuals. Stress is contagious: anyone who is not
performing well due to stress increases the amount of pressure on their
colleagues, superiors, and subordinates.
Counting the cost of workplace stress
Stress causes problems, and these problems cost organizations in
different ways:
Low quality of service. An increase in complaints received and
customers lost costs time and money. Complaints take time to deal with, and
replacement products or services cost money. Loss of customers endangers a
company.
High staff turnover. Both time (for retraining) and money (for recruitment) are spent on replacing unhappy workers.
Poor
reputation. A company with dissatisfied customers is going to have to
pay for changes to restore confidence in its products and
services.
Poor organizational image. A company may recruit only a low-quality – or inexperienced – workforce, since high-fliers are
unlikely to be attracted to it.
Dissatisfied workers. Valuable time is spent in disputes with
management over terms and conditions of employment.
TIP
Next time you feel you have too much to do, delegate at least one task.
TIP
Learn from those who do not suffer from stress.
TIP
Avoid routinely working late and at weekends.
