Understanding

And
Managing
Organizational
Behavior

Chapter 9:
Managing Stress
and Work-Life
Balance

4th Edition

JENNIFER GEORGE
& GARETH JONES
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2005 Prentice Hall

Chapter Objectives
Describe how the experience of stress is
based on employees perceptions and
influenced by individual differences
Appreciate the fact that stress can have
both positive and negative consequences
for employees and their organizations

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Chapter Objectives
Be aware of stressors that can arise from
employees personal lives, their jobs, their
work groups and organizations, the pursuit
of work-life balance, and uncertainty in the
wider environment
Describe problem-focused and emotionfocused coping strategies for individuals
Describe problem-focused and emotionfocused coping strategies for organizations
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Opening Case:
Doing More With Less
Is work stress out of control?
Mounting levels of stress for employees
Challenging economy
Layoffs
Global uncertainty
Fear of terrorism
Corporate scandal

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What is Stress?
The experience of opportunities or threats
that people perceive as important and also
perceive they might not be able to handle or
deal with effectively

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Individual Differences and Stress

Personality
Ability

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Consequences of Stress
Physiological
Psychological
Behavioral

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Signs of Burnout
Feelings of
low personal accomplishment
Emotional exhaustion
depersonalization

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Figure 9.1 A Stress Quiz

Conditions at work are unpleasant or even unsafe.
I feel that my job is making me physically or
emotionally sick
I have too much work or too many unreasonable
deadlines.
I cant express my opinions or feelings about my job
to my boss.
My work interferes with my family or personal life.
I have no control over my life at work.
My good performance goes unrecognized and
unrewarded.
My talents are underutilized at work.
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Figure 9.2 An Inverted U Relationship

Between Stress and Performace

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Sources of Stress

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Personal Life
Job Responsibilities
Membership in Groups/ Organization
Work-Life Balance
Environmental Uncertainty

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Personal Sources of Stress

Major Life Events

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Minor Life Events

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Job-Related Stressors

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Role conflict
Role ambiguity
Overload
Underload
Challenging assignments
Economic well-being and job security

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Group and Organization-Related

Stressors

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Cultural differences
Uncomfortable working conditions
Unsafe working conditions
Mergers and acquisitions

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Work-Life Balance
Elder care
Child care
Value conflict

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Environmental Uncertainty

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Global instability
Aftermath of war and terrorism
SARS
Corporate scandals
Exposure to toxins

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Coping Strategies for Individuals

Problem-focused
Time Management
Mentoring
Role Negotiation

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Emotion-focused
Exercise
Meditation
Social Support
Clinical Counseling

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Nonfunctional Coping Strategies

Eating
Drinking
Taking drugs

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Coping Strategies for

Organizations
Problem- focused
Job redesign
Job rotation
Reduction of
uncertainty
Job security
Company day care
Flextime/ job
sharing
Telecommuting
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Emotion-focused
On-site exercise
facilities
Organizational
support
Employee
assistance
programs
Personal days/
Sabbaticals

2005 Prentice Hall