OPPapers.com

Motivational Analysis

Motivational Analysis—Stress and Coping

Stress and Coping

Stress is defined as “an adaptive response, moderated by individual differences, that is a consequence of any action, situation, or event that places special demands on a person” (Kim et al, 2007, pg. 1).
“Most business owners face the common and costly problem of worker stress whether they are aware of it or not. In a recent Gallup Poll, 80% of workers said they feel stress on the job. Nearly half said they need help in learning how to manage stress, and 42% said their coworkers need help in coping with stress” (Shehan, 2005, pg. 1).
The multiple sources and effects of workplace stress, coupled with an elusive liability environment, require management to consider carefully their responses to this problem area. The potential negative ramifications of stress for companies and their employees are so substantial crucial that managers act to aid their employees in the development of their coping skills and to reduce excessive stress in the workplace itself.
Many sources of stress today have been around for years, such as work overload; fear, uncertainty and doubt about career progress; and prejudice based on age, gender, ethnicity or religion. The decade of the 90s has ushered in some additional stressful situations that are of particular concern today. These situations are:
1. Competition and Change—The economies of the world are becoming more integrated, creating mergers and consolidations that have produced intense pressures in many industries to out-plan, out innovate and out-perform competitors. These maneuvers have led in turn to an explosion of reengineering, restructuring, and redirection of systems, policies and careers. The impact of these reorganizations may affect some employees more than others, such as controllers, who are affected by change in all functions of a company and often have to work long hours to keep up with the demands from all levels of the organization.
2....