COMMONEST SOURCE OF WORKPLACE STRESS AND WAYS TO HELP COLLEAGUES COPE WITH IT (A CASE STUDY OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN ONITSHA)

Abstract

STRESS as defined by Selye (1974) is the non-specific response of the body to any demand upon it. Such demands, calling for our responses are termed ‘Stressors’. Causes of workplace stress as noted by the CEO of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health (Bottomline, Jul-Aug, 2008) is also imminent in various workplaces in Onitsha particularly commercial banks within the metropolis. Such causes include but not limited to Lack of Control, Lack of Communication, No Appreciation, No Feedback: Good or Bad and Career and Job Ambiguity. As adapted by Carlzon in his 212°Focus in turning around the fate of Scandinavian Airlines (culled from Bottomline April-May 2009, p. 4); at 211°F, water is hot; at 212°F, it boils; and with boiling water comes steam; and steam can power a locomotive. Carlzon set out to share his vision with his 20,000 employees. He empowered the frontline, allowing them make decisions and take actions, thereby liberating them from stress caused by role ambiguity and role conflict. In its approach to mitigating stress or distress, Women World Banking Management Development Program (WWB – MDP Oct 2017) adopted a 4 prong approach vis-à-vis getting commitment for action, coaching for improved performance, appraising for result and motivating for peak performance. This work on Occupational Stress which is domiciled in the discipline of Environmental Psychology is targeted at workers of every workplace, albeit with emphasis on workforce who attend to customers on a day-to-day basis with smiles on their faces.