The Effects of Stress on Business Employees and Programs Offered by Employers to Manage Employee Stress

The Effects of Stress on Business Employees  and Programs Offered by Employers  to Manage Employee Stress

Section I

Introduction to the Study

Introduction

Today, many organizations and employees are experiencing the effects of stress on work performance.  The effects of stress can be either positive or negative.  What is perceived as positive stress by one person may be perceived as negative stress by another, since everyone perceives situations differently.  According to Barden (2001), negative stress is becoming a major illness in the work environment, and it can debilitate employees and be costly to employers.  Managers need to identify those suffering from negative stress and implement programs as a defense against stress. 

These programs may reduce the impact stress has on employees' work performance.

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study was to determine the negative effects of stress on employees and the methods employers use to manage employees' stress.

Significance of the Study

There are three primary groups that may benefit from this study.  The first group, consisting of employees in today's business organizations, may learn to identify ways that stress negatively affects their work performance.  Identifying the negative effects may enable them to take necessary action to cope with stress. By sharing this knowledge, employees can act as a vehicle to help management implement appropriate stress reduction programs.   The second group that may benefit from this study is employers who may gain insight as to how stress is actually negatively affecting.