Workplace stress

Workplace stress

Workplace stressors are aspects of the work environment which have a negative impact on health.
Jonhansson.
1. This study took place in a Swedish sawmill, which employed workers in a range of occupations with varying degrees of responsibility and job control.
2. There was a high-risk group of 10 finishers, whose job involves little control and high responsibility and a low-risk group of 10 cleaners who had a lot of control and little responsibility.
3. The finishers had higher stress hormone levels than the cleaners.
4. The finishers had higher stress hormone levels on work days than rest days.
5. The finishers had more stress related illness and more absence from work.
Evaluation.
1. Individual differences were not accounted for. It may be that people more vulnerable to stressors are attracted to demanding jobs with high responsibility.
Marmot et al.
1. Marmot et al. performed a five year study of London-based civil servants.
2. They found that employees with low job control were three times more likely to have heart attacks.
3. Marmot agrees with Jonhansson that low job control can lead to workplace stress but did not find a link between high responibility and stress related illness.
Evaluation.
1. Workplace stressors are not naturally harmful to health. In fact, the workplace can provide heightened opportunities to increase self-esteem, confidence and motivation.
2. Different research methods have produced different results.
3. Research into workplace stressors does not account for individual differences.

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