Factors Contributing to Work Stress in the Educational Sector in Donkorkrom

In recent times, employee-productivity has become competitive in the global environment and has become an essential element of the success of many Companies. Employee-productivity can be significantly hindered by high levels of stress experienced in the work environment. Stress is a universal element and persons from nearly every walk of life have to face stress. Employers today are critically analyzing the stress management issues that contribute to lower job performance of employees. The main aim of the study was to evaluate stress and its effect on employees’ productivity. The study was conducted at the Education service in Donkorkrom. Descriptive survey was adopted as the research design. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting a sample size of 80 out of a population of 560. Questionnaires and interview was used as data collection instrument. From the results obtained, it was evident that there were many stress factors that the respondents endured, and the enquiry proved that stress had an effect on productivity. Majority of the respondents reported to work under pressure and that they feel uncared for by the service. The fact that majority of respondents thought of leaving their job, and felt that the service did not care about them was a reflection of huge dissatisfaction that undoubtedly lowered productivity. It was recommended that Management must conduct an analysis of the service mood and climate by assessing the reasons why the employees think Ghana Education Service does not care about its employees and what they can do to change it. It was also suggested that an Employee Assistance Programme be introduced for early identification and intervention on problems so that productivity levels do not decrease

 

Table of Contents

 Abstract.......................................................................................................................................... i

Table of content............................................................................................................................ ii

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the study............................................................................................................. 25

Purpose of the Study................................................................................................................... 22

Statement of the problem............................................................................................................ 22

Objectives of the study................................................................................................................ 23

Research questions...................................................................................................................... 23

Significance of the study............................................................................................................. 23

Limitations.................................................................................................................................. 24

Delimitations............................................................................................................................... 25

Organization of the study............................................................................................................ 25

 

CHAPTER TWO

RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction................................................................................................................................. 26

   Conceptual framework................................................................................................................. 26

Theoretical framework and hypotheses of the study...................................................................... 28

Nature of Stress........................................................................................................................... 29

Stress process or response stages.................................................................................................. 1

Types of stress............................................................................................................................... 1

Chronic stress............................................................................................................................ 2

Acute stress................................................................................................................................ 2

Traumatic stress......................................................................................................................... 2

Episodic acute stress.................................................................................................................. 3

Causes or sources of stress at work............................................................................................... 3

Factors intrinsic to the work...................................................................................................... 3

Role in the organization............................................................................................................ 5

Relationship at work.................................................................................................................. 7

Career development................................................................................................................... 7

Organization structure and climate........................................................................................... 8

Symptoms and effects of stress on employees’ productivity........................................................ 9

Psychological symptoms and effects......................................................................................... 9

Behavioural symptoms and effects......................................................................................... 10

Physiological symptoms and effects....................................................................................... 10

The impact of stress on the organization.................................................................................... 10

The impact of stress on productivity........................................................................................... 15

Overload.................................................................................................................................. 17

Time Pressure.......................................................................................................................... 18

Managing stress........................................................................................................................... 18

Summary..................................................................................................................................... 20

 

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

Research design........................................................................................................................... 21

Sample Procedure....................................................................................................................... 22

Data Collection Instrument......................................................................................................... 23

Primary Data............................................................................................................................ 23

Secondary Data........................................................................................................................ 23

Data Collection Procedures......................................................................................................... 24

Data Processing and Analysis..................................................................................................... 24

 

CHAPTER FOUR

DICUSSION OF RESULTS

Introduction................................................................................................................................. 25

Demographic of respondents...................................................................................................... 25

       Gender.................................................................................................................................. 25

       Age....................................................................................................................................... 25

       Occupation........................................................................................................................... 25

       Highest academic qualification............................................................................................ 25

       Role in the school................................................................................................................. 25

       Years in the service.............................................................................................................. 25

Causes of work stress.................................................................................................................. 25

       Employess not happy in the teching service........................................................................ 25

       Lack of adequate resources.................................................................................................. 25

       Too many professional responsibilities............................................................................... 25

Large class size........................................................................................................................... 25

Effect of work stress on teachers productivity............................................................................ 25

How to handles workstress......................................................................................................... 25

 

 

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 45

Summary..................................................................................................................................... 45

Job Stress..................................................................................................................................... 45

Job Performance.......................................................................................................................... 46

Workload and Job Performance.................................................................................................. 46

Role Conflict and Job Performance............................................................................................ 46

Role ambiguity and Job Performance......................................................................................... 46

    Conclusions................................................................................................................................. 47

    Recommendation........................................................................................................................ 47

 

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................. 25

APPENDICES............................................................................................................................... 25