THE IMPACT OF STRESS ON STAFF PRODUCTIVITY IN THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING

THE IMPACT OF STRESS ON STAFF PRODUCTIVITY IN THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING

(A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA).

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Generally, stress is a phenomenon which cannot be avoided in any organization or institution since everybody experiences stress.

So how you manage this stress can be the key to your well-being. A survey conducted by mental health in America found that people frequently deal with chronic stress by watching television, skipping exercise and neglecting to eat healthy food.

Many staff today run from organization to another thinking that they will no longer encounter stress, but they refused to know that stress is a national factor which cannot be avoided entirely but can only be controlled.

Stress is common to staff in any organization and depends on individuals. A condition that create stress for one person may not have effect on another. There are three source of stress, they are environmental, organizational and individual stresses. It becomes actual stress depending on individual difference. Its symptoms can surface as psychological and behavioral outcomes.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The modern organization operates in dynamic and ever changing environment. The rapid existence and changing environment makes the manager face all sorts of problems. The manager for all appearance in pursuit of rational action is continually confronted with irrational behavior, ambiguity and stress. Added to these pressures are societal changes such as the acknowledged revolution and accelerated technical development, as well as changes in social structure, occupation and organizations factors which make an increasingly complex environment.

Underlying these social problems is the expectation by young staff whose rewards out-weight punishments as soon as they attain professional or managerial status on their jobs. For the above reasons and statements, the need to evaluate the impact of stress on academic staff in the institution of higher learning emanates.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

          The objectives of this research work include the following:

1. To evaluate the impact of stress
2. To examine the influence of stress on staff level of productivity.
3. To identify the types and nature of stress which may serve as motivations to most staff due to individual differences.
4. To evaluate various measures of curtailing staff stress in an organization.

1.4     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The work of this research shall be beneficial and contributes to the understanding of stress in an organization. Most writers on stress stop at identifying the problems, such as stress in an organization without offering solution to it. Although books have been written on this subject over the years this phenomenon has become an economic concern since it has gone long way in affecting the life pattern of staff.

The research does not only study stress in an organization, but also teaches the organization some techniques of converting stress solution to their advantage.

This project work shall also be useful to researchers and students at management level.

1.5     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In order to provide relevant answers and solutions to the research problems, the researcher therefore raise the following research questions:

1. Can stress really reduce the performance rate of workers?
2. Can stress be totally eliminated in an organization?
3. Is there any significance impact of stress on staff?
4. Can management policies provide remedy to the level of stress encountered by staff?
5. Can staff stress be converted into organizational advantage by the management?

1.6     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

In order to evaluate the impact of stress on staff, the following hypothesis is established:

Hi (alternative hypothesis): The organization’s policy statement is the major sources of staff stress in the institution.

H0 (Null hypothesis): The organization’s policy statement is not the major sources of staff stress in the institution.

1.7     SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research will focus on stress, nature of stress, types of stress, potential source of stress, causes of stress, cost of stress in the work place, stress consequence on productivity, symptoms of stress, effect of stress on staff, factors contributing to stress, stress management techniques, methods of controlling and reducing stress, managing stress at work and individual responses to stress.

1.8     LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The work of this nature “the impact of stress on staff productivity in the institution of higher learning” over five hundred (500) staff posed a huge problem to the researcher as it requires huge among of finance to make several photocopies to its effect regarding the total population involved.

The researcher also battled with problems of choice as there are scarcity of time within the approved frame time for the research work which the researcher had to forgone many alternatives to ensure that this  research work is a success.

More so, retrieving the questionnaire back from the respondents was not an easy task as the researcher made several calls and visitations to the staff offices to ensure that data is collected.

1.9     DEFINITION OF RELEVANT TERMS

          Psychological: This is concerned with the ways our minds work in us.

Pathological: It is an unnatural feeling or state of mind.

Delineating: To show by drawing or describing

S.A.P: Structural Adjustment Programme.

Status Quo: It refers to the state of things as they are or existing state of affairs.

Burn out: A general feeling of exhaustion, frustration and helplessness.

Procrastination: To delay or post pone action.

Environment: The surrounding where one live.

Symptoms: Noticeable signs

Productivity: Level of output.

Susceptible: To easily adapt to changes and accepting others opinions.

Perceptions: Peoples view, thinking and believe.

Stressors: causes of stress