Stress is simply what we feel when we have to respond to a demand on our energy. It is a natural part of life that occurs whenever there are significant changes in our lives, which are either positive or negative (Bickford, 2005, p.2). We often hear about stress as a negative consequence of modern living and this is a growing problem around the world that affects not only the health and well-being of employees, but also the productivity of organizations. Therefore, work-related stress is the response people may have when presented with work demands and pressures that are not matched to their knowledge and abilities and which challenge their ability to cope.
An organization can create stress at its workplace by altering the psychological contract, reducing job security, and restructuring and downsizing employment. For example, announcing downsizing alone immediately creates higher levels of stress, tension and aggression resulting to more interpersonal conflicts at work between employees and management and reduction in services and friendliness to customers or clients.
Therefore, Stressors are any environmental conditions that place a physical or emotional demand on the person. Therefore, the 3 common stressors faced by employees in an organization or workplace include:
i. Harassment and Incivility.
Harassment refers to a broad range of unwelcome behaviors that degrade, insult, humiliate or offend which actions may be intentional or not while incivility is inconsequential,