Stress Management In Work Settings

The contributors to this volume address current issues and problems in the field of stress management and provide guidance toward the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of stress management programs in work settings. The authors' aim is to shift the present mind set of brief stress workshops toward more comprehensive actions which target both the organization and the individual worker as intervention points for stress reduction. Collectively labeled as stress management, methods such as muscle relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, and cognitive strategies have been taught to workers as a means of reducing psycho-physiological and subjective distress. These preventative strategies have focused exclusively on the healthy individual worker. As presently defined, stress management has a negligible role in reducing organizational stress. The authors suggest that a more appropriate application would be a complement to job redesign or organizational change intervention. They also argue that conceptual issues are as important as logistical ones in determining program success. The book is divided into three parts. Part I deals with organizational stress and its assessment. Part II describes aspects of stress management as applied in work settings, and the third part is a collection of resources for training materials, products, and equipment. Stress Management in Work Settings is a professional book aimed at the users who will ultimately make the decision to offer a stress reduction program, decide what type of action will be taken, and actually implement the action.

Including practical advice on how to conduct a stress audit and how to target stress 'hot spots' within an organization, Organizational Stress Management provides a fresh strategic model for the manager concerned with the negative effects stress can have both on company performance and the quality of life of individuals at work.

`Written primarily for the employee, this book is a gold mine of easily assimilated information and ideas which should also be of value to anyone working in human resources' - Personnel Today`Much of the literature on stress tends to be either academic or research-based, or otherwise focuses on the more practical aspects of stress management. Managing Workplace Stress strikes a balance between the two in providing background and discussion that puts many areas of work-related stress into context, as well as giving helpful practical advice on managing particular stressors' - People ManagementStress in the workplace is an ever-increasing problem and its consequences, such as higher rates of absenteeism, reduced productivity and increased health compensation claims, are widespread. This book examines the causes of the increase in work-related stress.Susan Cartwright and Cary L Cooper focus particularly on the stress created by organizational changes including job redesign, reallocation of roles and responsibilities, and the accompanying job insecurities. They highlight the everyday stressors likely to impact upon managers and employees - for example, working with difficult people and managing increased work loads - and offer useful strategies for dealing with these various situations.

Abstract: Guidance is given to assist managers and supervisors in recognizing, appreciating, and controlling stressful situations in the workplace. Sources of stress and how stress affects an organization are examined in detail. Various programs and approaches for reducing and controlling the effects of stress are suggested. The material is organized into 5 major areas: a description of stress in the work setting; stress management programs; reactions and stressors; coping with and preventing stress situations; and organzational considerations, such as accidents, worker compensation awards, and evalutions. Technical terminology and professional jargon are minimized to emphasize practical approaches to stress control. (wz).