Page 268 - DMGT106_MANAGING_HUMAN_ELEMENTS_AT_WORK

Managing Human Element at Work

Notes 3. Work stress can have a disastrous effect on the ......................... .

(a) quality of work life (b) quality of labours
(c) only work (d) None of these.
4. Stress is created by a multitude of overlapping factors such as ......................... .
(a) quantitative (b) ethical dilemmas
(c) difficult relationships (d) All of these.

12.3 Types of Stress

The degree of stress experienced depends on many factors. First, the demand must be perceived
(people must be aware that it exists) as threatening (having the potential to hurt them if they
do not react appropriately). Second, the threat must be to something that is important to people
(has the potential to substantially affect their wellbeing). Finally, people experiencing the
threatening demand must be uncertain about the outcome (not sure if they can deal with it
effectively). Based on the stress experienced, it has been classified into various types:

12.3.1 Constructive versus Destructive Stress
The word stress often has a negative connotation. It generally refers to aggravated feelings
because of unpleasant experiences. The impact of distress, which has been discussed earlier in
the chapter, includes ulcers, heart attacks, depression, and suicide. Distress is the destructive
form of stress. On the other hand, sometimes, stress also has a positive impact, resulting in a
feeling of excitement and enthusiasm. This is also known as eustress or constructive stress.
Some degree of emotional or psychological arousal is necessary to motivate us for most of our
daily activities. This constructive stress gives us the energy to excel in our work and to be
creative.
As per the routine cardiac screening held at Escorts Heart Institute in
Delhi, suggests that most executives of corporations are highly stressed
out.

12.3.2 Episodic versus Chronic Stress
Throughout a normal day, week, month or year, we are likely to experience a wide range of
stress levels, from crisis to relaxation, as we react to deadlines, emergencies, and vacations. The
pattern of high degrees of stress followed by an interval of relief is referred to as episodic
stress. We endure anxiety, cope with the challenges, and then relax. An elevated level of stress
is necessary during crisis situations as it creates a sense of readiness to fight or flee followed
by a period of relaxation and renewal.
Unfortunately, the people face patterns of stress because of job insecurity, cost of living,
deadlines, and poor relationships which are continuous. These types of situations produce
what is known as chronic stress in which a person can neither fight nor flee. This stress is
constant and additive. The after-effects of such stress may vary from aggression and irritability
to just bearing the pressure calmly. The result of maintaining continuously high levels of
chronic stress is often a serious health breakdown.

12.3.3 Causes of Stress
Employees can experience stress both from their work life and from their personal life. These
sources interact with each other to give rise to various stress symptoms. Stress in our daily life
is the result of many interacting factors. As individuals with some exclusive personality traits
contribute towards generating stress. The organizational environment may also play host to

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