Research has shown that work-related stress can negatively impact organizations through decreased employee commitment, performance and productivity, increased staff turnover, and lower customer satisfaction. Signs of a stressful work environment include increased conflict between employees, absenteeism, and risk-taking behaviors like substance abuse and theft. To prevent these problems, organizations should take action to address the causes of stress.

1. Prepared by Antoinette Raw (MASC, Dip. Ad Corp, Ad C.S)(UK)
Qualified Corporate Stress Management Practitioner, ADR Specialist, Accredited
Mediator
©

2. Research has shown work-related stress to have adverse effects for organisations
in terms of:
 Employee commitment to work
 Staff performance and productivity
 Staff turnover and intention to leave
 Attendance levels
 Staff recruitment and retention
 Customer satisfaction
 Organisational image and reputation
 Potential litigation
 By taking action to tackle the causes of stress in your workplace, you can
prevent or reduce the impact of these problems on your organisation.

3.  Increased conflict between employees is one sign of a stressful working
environment, but it also negatively affects work-place performance and results
in increased absenteeism, to name just a few common symptoms.
 Less common or noticeable symptoms include those individual psychological
mechanisms based on escapism, where lifestyle habits undergo changes.
 This can include the abuse of illegal substances, even within the workplace
environment, an increase in entitlement and resentment towards senior staff to
compensate for the feelings of stress.
 It may also include an increase in risk taking behaviours in the form of office
affairs, theft and fraud, physical confrontations and changes in grooming habits.

4.  Since 1946 The World Health Organisation has defined health as not only the
absence of disease but a state of complete physical mental and social well-
being. In 1986, it included that health be viewed as a resource for everyday life,
not the object of living.
 The South African federation of Mental Health has stated that the majority of
adults spend 50% to 80% of their waking hours at the workplace, and just under
70% of employees will experience stress severe enough to inhibit coping with
their day-to-day duties.
 It’s estimated that 40% of employee absenteeism is attributable to stress and this
results in millions in lost revenue each year for businesses.
 In a recent survey it was estimated that SA business loses around R12 billion a
year because of absenteeism.

5.  Tackling work-related stress should not just be seen as a legal
obligation; there are also a range of other benefits, including:
• reduced cost of absence, including sick pay, sickness cover,
overtime and recruitment
• improved workplace morale, better working relationships and
increased employee satisfaction
• increased productivity, through employees being healthier,
happier and better motivated
• protection from reputational damage and financial costs of
prosecution or litigation.

6.  Undertaking a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to employee
health, absenteeism and industrial relations.
 Providing analysis report to employers on the nature of risk in the business.
 Develop standard processes for completing, reviewing and recording risk
assessments.
 Provide solutions, training and instruction to combat the problem.
 Ensure risk assessment processes and policies reflect legal compliance.
 Implement policies and solutions that deal with stress in the workplace
effectively.

7. Health
Check
Survey
Results
IR
Data
Performance
Data
Demographic
Data
Risk
Management
Report
Formulating
Actions
Validation
Of
Information
Current
Reality
Implementation plan
Desired
Future