From,

24.02.06

M.G. Saravanaraj

RASIPURAM.

Asst. Prof. In Dept. of Management Studies,

Muthayammal Engineering College,
Rasipuram 637408.

To,
The Editor,
The ICFI Journal Of Organisational Behaviour,
The ICFAI University Press,
Hyderabad 500082.

Dear Sir,
I am sending a paper for your kind perusal which is a work done by Myself , Dr. L. Manivannan,
and Mrs. S. Sumathi. I am sending a hard copy of the paper and I will sent the same through e-mail
also. It is a immense pleasure for us to send the paper to your publication, please find the
enclosure and do the needful as early as possible.
Thanking you,

Yours Faithfully,

(M.G. SARAVANARAJ)

TITLE PAGE

Title Of The Paper

Managing The Stress Among The Employees

- A study on the employees of Burn Standard & Co.

Subject Area

Organizational Behaviour

Authors Names

Dr. L. Manivannan., M.B.A., Ph.D., D.L.L.,

M.G.Saravanaraj., M.B.A., M.Phil., P.G.D.M.M.,
S.Sumathi., M.B.A., M.phil., P.G.D.P.M.,

Mailing Address

M.G. Saravanaraj
48, sekkilar street,
Karungalpalayam,
Erode 638003.

e-mail address

mg_Saravanaraj@yahoo.co.in

Mobile Number

9842495758

MANAGING STRESS AMONG THE EMPLOYEES

*Dr. L. Manivannan, *M.G.Saravanaraj, *S.Sumathi

This paper attempts to study the level of stress among the employees of Burn standard & Co.
Salem, it also finds the causes for stress among the employees. Interview schedule was
administered on the employees. The resultant data has been analyzed and Interpretations are
plotted. Through the results obtained the coping strategies to overcome stress was suggested. This
is an on going study this may be extended on the employees of various organization and
employments.
INTRODUCTION:
Modern life is full of stress. The modern world, which is said to be a world of achievements,
is also a world of stress. One finds stress everywhere, whether be within the family, business
organization or any other social or economic activity. Right from the time of birth till the last breath
drawn, an individual is invariably exposed to various stressfull situations. Stress happens whenever
ones mind and body reacts to some real or imagined situation. Since every condition or event in
our daily life causes some type of degree or stress, it is unrealistic and impossible to totally
eliminate stress from ones life. Urbanisation, industrialization and increase in scale of operation in
the society are causing increasing stresses. The only people totally free of stress are those who
populate the cemeteries.
Job stress is a condition arising from the interaction of people and their jobs and
characterized by changes within people that force them to deviate from their normal functioning.

*Dr. L. Manivannan, Reader & Company Commander Dept. of Corporate Secretaryship,Erode Arts College. Erode.

*M.G.Saravanaraj Asst. Prof. Dept.of Management Studies, Muthayammal Engg. College. Rasipuram.
*S.Sumathi, Asst. Prof. Dept.of Management Studies, Vivekanandhaa College of Engg. For women, Tiruchengode.

Stress can have serious consequences for both health and our work performance. In terms of
health, the current belief among many medical practioners is that 50 or 70 percent of all physical
illness are related to stress. Stress can cause the depression, irritation, anxiety, fatigue, lowered
self-esteem and reduced job satisfaction. Sustained over a long period, stress can lead to attempts
to escape through the use of drug or alcohol.
Behavioural responses to physical and psychological stress affect organizations
negatively. Employees under stress grow unhappy with their pay, work, co-workers and have less
organisational commitment and exhibit greater degrees of absenteeism, turnover and production
inefficiencies. During the last quarter of century, the subject of stress has been studied extensively,
by different investigators to examine the causal relationship, quantification and standardization of
research methods. Lot of studies have been made by researchers to trace the causes and
consequences of stress, while the strategies for coping with stress do not seem to have gained
finality.
NEED FOR THE STUDY:
Stress underlies such diverse conditions as psychosomatic diseases, heart diseases and
can be a major contributor to disturbances in ones emotional, social, industrial and family life. It
inhibits creativity and personal effectiveness and exhibits itself in a general dissatisfaction, so
obvious in our day-to-day lives.
Stress is discussed not only in our everyday conversations but has become enough a
public issue to attract widespread media attention whether it be radio, television, different views

about it as stress can be experienced from a variety of sources. In psycho-physiology stress refers
to some stimulus resulting in a detectable strain that cannot be accommodated by the organism
and which ultimately results in impaired health or behaviour.
Stress is part of every employees life. However, where stress is excessive, personal and
organizational performance is at best damaged. At worst, stress is a liability and a threat to the
survival of an organization. Hence, the problems of stress for business and industry, is a
substantial and serious one.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
The primary objective of the study is to know the level of stress among the employees of
Burn Standard Company Limited.
The secondary objectives being
1. To identify the factors causing stress among the respondents.
2. To analyse the measures followed by the respondents to overcome stress.
3. To suggest effective means to overcome stress at different levels.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
1. The personal bias of the respondents might have an impact on the data collected due to
the respondents reluctance to answer the questions.
2. The period of the study has confined the scope of the study thus omitting the mines of
Burn Standard Company Limited.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
Sampling Technique:

The sampling technique used for the study is simple random sampling. The
sample size is 100 respondents chosen from a population of 560 employees of Burn Standard
Company Limited from the factory and administrative office.
Data Collection:
The primary data was collected through a structured interview schedule. The
secondary data for the study was collected from magazines, journals, text books and website.
Statistical Analysis:
The data collected was further analysed using Simple Percentage Analysis and
Ranking Method for meaningful interpretation of the data.

ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATIONS:

1. Work as a stressor & Managing Work Stress:

As with organizational culture, work stress has become a subject of interest only recently.
Stress is an independent variable influencing employee satisfaction and performance. It is an
incumbent on management to improve quality of life of organizational members.
Stress is an independent variable influencing employees satisfaction and performance. It
refers to an individuals reaction to a disturbing factor in the environment. Stress naturally will have
an impact on the work.
TABLE 1
Work as a stressor & Managing Work Stress
WORK AS STRESSOR MANAGING WORK STRESS
Response Frequency Response
Frequency
Yes
36
Feasible
67

No
64
Not Feasible
33
Total
100
Total
100
In the opinion of about 64% respondents work is not a source of stress.On the other hand, about
67% opine that they can work well even under stress, which means that stress has not been
allowed to have its impact on these respondents wor
2. Money & Family as stressors:

Money is a basic necessity for any individual to survive in the world. It is a means through
which the material aspects of life can be satisfied. Money factor is definitely a source of stress,
but the level of stress varies from person to person. Family is a very important part in any
individuals life. It gives the real recognition for a persons existence in this world. Family seems
to be a source of stress but at varying degrees.
TABLE 2
Money & Family as stressors
MONEY AS STRESSOR
FAMILY AS STRESSOR
Response
Frequency Response
Frequency
No Stress
19
No Stress
21
Slight Stress
31
Slight Stress
47
Average stress
47
Average stress
26
Above Average stress 3
Above Average stress 6
Hardcore stress
Nil
Hardcore stress
Nil
Total
100
Total
100
About 81% of the respondents have either slight or average or above average stress with
respect to money factor. Similarly, with regard to family, for about 79% of the respondents it is as
well a source of stress.

3. Consequences of stress:
Stress can have serious consequences on ones health and his work performance. Stress can
cause depression, irritation, anxiety, fatigue and thus lower self-esteem and reduce job
satisfaction.
TABLE 3
Consequences of stress
CONSEQUENCES
Hostile
Panicked
Tired
Headache
Irritation
Loss of appetite
Unusual emotions
Mind Upset
Diarrhea
Anxiousness
Total

FREQUENCY
4
5
6
25
20
7
6
3
2
22
100

RANKING
8
7
5
1
3
4
5
9
10
2
-

From the above table it is inferred that majority of the respondents suffer from headache
and feel irritated, anxious and as well lose their appetite due to stress.

4. Coping strategies to control stress:

There are several coping mechanisms available to reduce ones tension. Most prominent
among them are time management, physical exercises, relaxation, yoga, social support,
situation control and unburdening oneself.
TABLE 4

Coping strategies to control stress

COPING STRATEGIES
Exercises
Conversation with friends
Listening to music
Sleep
Eating
Yoga
Meditation
Work
Reading
Smoking/Alcoholism/Drugs
TOTAL

FREQUENCY
2
30
15
3
0
10
25
2
3
10
100

RANKING
8
1
3
6
10
4
2
8
6
4
-

Majority of the respondents feel relaxed when they speak to their friends and the remaining go
for meditation, yoga, music, smoking, etc., to reduce stress.

5. Effectiveness of the coping strategies:

Stress is generally understood to have an adverse effect on an individuals life and
organisations effectiveness.
TABLE 5
Effectiveness of the coping strategies
EFFECTIVENESS
Not effective
Slightly effective
Average
Good
Excellent
TOTAL

FREQUENCY
2
3
25
40
30
100

About 95% of the respondents opine that the coping mechanisms followed by them are
effective enough to give a sort of relief to come out of their stress.

FINDINGS:
1. Overall work is not a source of stress for the respondents.
2. With regard to communication the level of stress is more, due to the communication gap
prevailing in the organizational hierarchy.
3. The respondents are affected by the inadequacy of sleep.
4. The malfunctioning of equipments is another source of stress for the respondents.
5. Money and family is definitely a source of stress for the respondents.
6. Majority of respondents work well even under stress.
7. Majority of the respondents are comfortable with the present level of stress.
8. The major consequences of stress among the respondents are that it causes headache,
anxiousness and irritation.
9. The respondents feel relaxed when they speak to their friends and the others go for
meditation, yoga, smoking, music, etc., to cope with their stress.

10. The coping mechanisms followed by the respondents are said to be effective in their
opinion.

SUGGESTIONS:
1. There should be proper application of different modes of communication among the
employees to remove the communication barriers, otherwise this may become a major
source of stress for the respondents.
2. Arrangement of some recreational activities, trips and tours and other sources of
enjoyment shall reduce the level of stress among the employees.
3. Initiating general meetings once in a month and formation of grievance council shall
enhance relationship with superiors further more.
4. The organization can hold need based counseling programs regarding managing personal
finance, dealing with family problems, health problems and dealing with other kinds of
personal and family stressors.
5. Stress management techniques like time management, physical exercises, relaxation,
yoga, social support, situation control and unburdening oneself are further recommended
in addition to the coping mechanisms followed by the respondents.

CONCLUSION:

Stress is hence understood to have an adverse effect on an individuals life and

organizations effectiveness. Contrary to this, moderate stress is welcome as it can increase effort,
stimulate creativity and encourage diligence in ones work. But excessively high stress can

overload and breakdown a persons physical and mental system. Stress is an inevitable part of
ones life and it cannot be avoided. What can however be avoided are the negative reactions to
stress.
Organisations have started realizing that stress management is important and the pay off
comes when executives are able to maintain high performance. The united states corporate giants
have jumped to wellness programs, health education programs with the realization that a healthy
employee is a productive employee. Stress counseling and stress management in this country has
still a low profile but it is time that Indian corporate giants start taking steps like their western
counterparts to enable executives to absorb and bye-pass stress and strain which in days to come
likely to manifest in a more alarming way. Hence it is suggested that Burn Standard Company
Limited should accept the recommendations stated above and help its employees to manage their
stress effectively.

References:
Kahn,RL, and Byosiere,P (1992) Stress in Orgnisations, In M D Dunnette and L M Hough (Eds),
Handbook of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, 2 nd edition Vol. 3, pp. 571-650. Palo Alto,
CA: Consulting psychologists press.
Beehr, T A (1995). Psychological Stress in the Work, London, Routledge.
Hugh J Arnold, Daniel C. Seldman Organisational Behaviour Mc Graw Hill International Edition
New Delhi 1982.

Wayne Monde R. Robert. M. Noe Allyn & Bacon Inc, Newton Massa Chusetts 1985. Personnel the
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L.M. Prasad Organisational Behaviour. Pub by Sultan Chand & sons N ew Delhi Edition 2000.
K. Aswathappa Organisational Behaviour pub. By Himalaya publications house. Edition 2000.
Dr. Rajeev Sharma M.D. Lit, Stress Disorders including anxiety & headache Manoj publications
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Donald R. Cooper Pamela S Schindler, Business Research Methods, Tata Mc Graw Hill 2003, 8th
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