Stress and Burnout

Stress and burnout are both capable of having a detrimental impact on organizational productivity. In addition, they both pose serious health and safety hazards on the job. Stress occurs when an employee feels frustrated with his or her work. This frustration is usually due to an "internal sense of losing control, a mismatch between what we expect and what the environment actually can provide" (Rosenthal, 1991, p. 72). Work overload is another possible cause for stress on the job (Stachert, 1988, p. 61). Furthermore, such factors as personality conflict and fear of losing one's job can cause work-related stress (Lindberg, 1990, p. 82). Often, the organization itself is responsible for causing stress in its employees. This is particularly true when the organization either has high expectations of its employees or is vague about what the employees' roles are (Stachert, 1988, p. 60).

Although they are related, burnout is actually quite different from stress. Whereas stress causes sudden feelings of anxiety and loss of control, burnout is "a gradual process by which a once productive and committed worker loses all concern and interest in his or her job or profession" (Goliszek, 1988, p. 73). Generally, repetition is the source for most cases of job burnout. If an employee is required to do the same task over and over again, that employee will eventually become bored with the work. This loss of interest follows a progressive pattern. Thus, according to Mase (1989),

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lies in increasing productivity and safety in the workplace. One way that the individual employee can handle stress is through methods for relaxation. Rosenthal (1991) recommends the elimination of stress by means of "relaxation and desensitization techniques and biofeedback" (p. 72). Shaffer (1982) suggests the use of relaxation techniques along with a regimen of proper sleep, exercise and nutrition. In recent years, new technologies have been developed for helping people to relax. These include "stress-fighting tapes, goggles that send pulses of white light into your head, [and] vibrating music beds" (Farnham, 1991, p. 72). Perhaps the best method for dealing with employee stress is that of obtaining psychological counseling. In this regard, "a good therapist often can guide people back from the burn-out syndrome toward a healthier lifestyle" (Rosenthal, 1991, p. 72). Studies have shown that not all people react the same way to the same stressful situations. People who are capable of handling stress generally have a more positive attitude toward life than others. Thus, attitude appears to be an important key in reducing stress on the job. Stress results when the reality does not live up to the expectations of the

Category: Psychology - S