3
INTRODUCTION
Completing a project on time, preparing a complicated report, taking a finalexamination and giving a formal speech are some situations where anindividual may find himself/herself under stress. Many behavioral expertsagree that stress is an individuals response to a physical, psychological oremotional stimulus.Factors such as increasing competition, corporate restructuring anddownsizing have compelled employees to work longer hours to meet theirdeadlines. Organizations also try and generate more output from fewerpeople in a shorter span of time. This trend pressurizes employees leadingto negative consequences such as burnout, high turnover, aggression andstress. Work stress has become the latest corporate catchword and is reasonfor genuine concern.Stephen P Robbins defines stress as a dynamic condition in which anindividual is confronted with an opportunity, constraint or demand relatedto what he or she desires and for which the outcome is perceived to be bothuncertain and important.Job stress is a condition arising from the interaction of people and their jobsand characterized by changes within people that force them to deviate fromtheir normal functioning.Now let us give a glance to the various factors that result in job stress in anindividual.1.
E
xtraorganisatioanl stressors
Social and technological changes
Family problems