One of the problems encountered in the workplace today is increased levels of stress. Work related stress contributes to a variety of problems both for the individual experiencing stress and for the organization for which he or she works. The problems can range from reduced performance to open violence in the workplace. One of the common methods organizations are using to address, or prevent, problems of this type is to identify stressful situations and develop new methods of dealing with conflict and stress in the workplace. Such efforts are not always effective, though, and the reality is that the requirements of a given job may involve increased stress, in which case only minimal changes can be made in the job structure to address the problem. In any case, companies may need to change the way business is done to reduce stress, and they may also need to concentrate on teaching stress reduction to individuals as well as trying to reconstruct the workplace itself.
There has been considerable interest in the problem of stress in the workplace and in its effects. Some of this research has concentrated on specific types of business or types of work while at the same time suggesting that its findings could be extrapolated to other situations, while other research has tried to be more general from the start. Both types of research yield important and interesting results.
The degree of the problem is noted in an article by Clark which notes that on the job stress has been given considerable attention as companies try to do more with fewer employees in order to remain competitive. This has only increased the stress on workers as they see their job security withering away. The effects of stress are seen in increasing workplace violence, absenteeism, and claims for workers' compensation. Some companies are trying to cope with the problem with more employee assistance programs, which are becoming more prevalent than ever (Clark 6...