Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Stress Management Towards Employees in Reliance Life Insurance Suresh
Stress Management Towards Employees in Reliance Life Insurance Suresh
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
1
2-3
4-49
50-68
69-71
Research Design
Data collection methods / sources
Sampling plan which should include sampling unit, sampling
size and sampling methods via questionnaire methods, interview
methods, observations etc
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
72-92
93-94
95
96-97
98-101
thus have less time for other things. Stressed employees may be unhappy and thus
produce nominally. Stress can deteriorate social and family relationships and eventually
burn you out; ultimately it can take toll on your health. Organizations need to recognize
stress as a problem and decide whether or not to act upon it. So, it becomes necessary for
every organization to know the level of stress and its consequences on the employee
performance as well as productivity so as to overcome it.
Situations themselves are not stressful, they simply happen. The stress results from the
way we perceive those situations. Stress often occurs when we feel we are powerless to
change the things that are impacting on our lives.
This study on the impact of stress on employees of Reliance Life Insurance Ltd was
conducted to know the level of stress and its consequences faced by the employees .
Secondary objective
To study the various reasons that leads to stress in employees
As with all great pioneers, there is more than one unique way of describing the true
genius of Dhirubhai: The corporate visionary, the unmatched strategist, the proud
patriot, the leader of men, the architect of Indias capital markets, the champion of
shareholder interest.
But the role Dhirubhai cherished most was perhaps that of Indias greatest wealth
creator. In one lifetime, he built, starting from the proverbial scratch, Indias largest
private sector enterprise.
When Dhirubhai embarked on his first business venture, he had a seed capital of
barely US$ 300 (around Rs 14,000). Over the next three and a half decades, he
converted this fledgling enterprise into a Rs 60,000 crore colossusan achievement
which earned Reliance a place on the global Fortune 500 list, the first ever Indian
private company to do so.
Dhirubhai is widely regarded as the father of Indias capital markets. In 1977, when
Reliance Textile Industries Limited first went public, the Indian stock market was a
place patronized by a small club of elite investors which dabbled in a handful of
stocks.
Under Dhirubhai extraordinary vision and leadership, Reliance scripted one of the
greatest growth stories in corporate history anywhere in the world, and went on to
become Indias largest private sector enterprise.
Through out this amazing journey, Dhirubhai always kept the interests of the ordinary
shareholder uppermost in mind, in the process making millionaires out of many of the
initial investors in the Reliance stock, and creating one of the worlds largest
shareholder families.
RELIANCE CAPITAL
Reliance Life Insurance Company Limited is a part of Reliance Capital Ltd. of the
Reliance - Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. Reliance Capital is one of Indias leading
private sector financial services companies, and ranks among the top 3 private sector
financial services and banking companies, in terms of net worth. Reliance Capital has
interests in asset management and mutual funds, stock broking, life and general
insurance, proprietary investments, private equity and other activities in financial
services.
Reliance Capital sees immense potential in the rapidly growing financial services
sector in India and aims to become a dominant player in this industry and offer fully
integrated financial services.
Reliance Life Insurance is another step forward for Reliance Capital Limited to offer
need based Life Insurance solutions to individuals and Corporates.
Reliance capital entered into the life insurance business by acquiring AMP Sanmar in
October 2005. The business was thereafter renamed Reliance Life Insurance. Today
RLIC has over 20 products - 16 individual plans and 4 employee benefit plans - including
the two new innovative products Connect to Life and Reliance Money Guarantee Plan that were launched recently.
Reliance Life Insurance Company (RLIC) has been accorded the ISO 9001-2000
certificate for its best-in-class management systems in Quality, Customer & Process
orientation.
With this, RLIC is one of the only two life insurance companies in India to get ISO
9001:2000 certification covering all functional areas.
The scope of the certification covers the entire gamut of business processes ranging from
product design, sales - front-end and back-end operations, customer care and investment,
to all business support functions. The certification has been awarded by internationally
acclaimed Bureau VERITAS and is valid till 2010 subject to continued satisfactory
operation of RLIC's Quality Management System.
"This certification is a significant milestone in our continuous quest to offer innovative
products, outstanding services and improved customer satisfaction. It indicates that we
have been able to install systems, processes & performance measures that are in line with
the best in the industry and will form the basis of
CORPORATE OBJECTIVE
At Reliance Life Insurance, we strongly believe that as life is different at every stage, life
insurance must offer flexibility and choice to go with that stage. We are fully prepared
and committed to guide you on insurance products and services through our well-trained
advisors, backed by competent marketing and customer services, in the best possible way.
Our Goal
Reliance Life Insurance would strive hard to achieve the 3 goals mentioned below:
Emerge as transnational Life Insurer of global scale and standard
Create best value for Customers, Shareholders and all Stake holders
Achieve impeccable reputation and credentials through best business practices
Achievements
RLIC has been one of the fast gainers in market share in new business premium
amongst the private players with an incremental market share of 4.1% in the
Financial Year 2007-08 from 3.9% in April 07 to 8% in Feb 08. ( Source:
IRDA)
8
A Company that has crossed 1.7 Million policies in just 2 years of operation,
post take over of AMP Sanmar business.
Initiated Express Life an Unique Over the Counter sales process for Unit
Linked Insurance Policies in the Industry.
Protection Plans
In todays uncertain world, there could be calamity at every step of the life. It is up to you
to ensure that your family stays protected always.
Reliance Protection Plans helps you do exactly the same. You have a wide range of
options to choose a plan from. Right from limited period plans to lifetime protection
plans, you can opt for the one that suits your lifestyle.
10
11
12
13
14
Retirement Plans
You are a young and earning individual. The income you earn allows you to enjoy life,
your only worry being whether you will be able to continue the same lifestyle after
retirement.
A Reliance Retirement Plan will help you save money for your retirement. It ensures that
you continue to get some income after retirement thereby ensuring that you do not have
to depend on any other person or make any compromises to maintain the same lifestyle.
Invest in a Reliance Retirement Plan today and enjoy life after retirement on your own
terms.
1. Total Investment Plan II - Pension
When you invest in the Reliance Total Investment Plan, you give yourself the assurance
that you will make each one of your dreams come true!
2. Reliance Golden Years Plan
The Reliance Golden Years Plan helps you save systematically and generate the muchneeded corpus to help you enjoy life after retirement.
15
Child Plans
Being a parent is one of the joys of life. Your child looks up to you and depends on you
for love, protection and support. You want to provide your child with the best in life.
The Reliance Child Plan helps you save systematically so that you can secure your childs
future needs. Be it higher education, his or her first home or any other requirement, you
will always be there for your child when he or she needs you.
So, invest in a Reliance Child Plan right awayit is the best gift you could ever give
your child.
1. Reliance Super Invest Assure Plan
Reliance Super Invest Assure is a complete plan which addresses your vital needs like
Flexibility, Security, Investment Return and Financial Planning. With all its key benefits,
it is here to ensure that there will always be more than you can ask for!
16
17
18
19
20
22
24
Insurance is actually a contract between 2 parties whereby one party called insurer
undertakes in exchange for a fixed sum called premium to pay the other party
happening of a certain event.
25
STRUCTURE
Indian Insurance market was opened to private & foreign investment in 1999-2000
The Indian Insurance industry consists of a total of 31 players
Major international players like AIG, Aviva, MetLife, New York Life,
Prudential, Allianz, Sun Life, Standard Life and Lombard are already present with
minority stakes in joint ventures with Indian companies for both Life and Non-life
segments
In Non-life, private sector companies (almost all are joint ventures with foreign
insurers) accounted for 34% of the market in 2006 to 07.
POLICY
26
FDI up to 26% is permitted under the automatic route subject to obtaining a license
from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)
Plans to increase FDI up to 49%
Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) is the regulator for the Insurance
industry
In a landmark move the government detariffed the General Insurance business on 1st
January 2007
27
Collective bearing of risk - Insurance is a device to share the financial loss of few
among many others. Insurance is a mean by which few losses are shared among larger
number of people. All the insured contribute the premiums towards a fund and out of
which the persons exposed to a particular risk is paid.
Assessment of risk - Insurance determines the probable volume of risk by evaluating
various factors that give rise to risk. Risk is the basis for determining the premium rate
also
28
Small capital to cover larger risks - Insurance relieves the businessmen from security
investments, by paying small amount of premium against larger risks and uncertainty.
Contributes towards the development of larger industries - Insurance provides
development opportunity to those larger industries having more risks in their setting up.
Even the financial institutions may be prepared to give credit to sick industrial units
which have insured their assets including plant and machinery.
29
30
Life
Life Stage
Insurance
Primary Need
Product
Asset creation
Young &
Single
Young &
Just married
protection
Wealth
creation
mortgage
and
protection
plans
Children's
Married
education,
With kids
Asset
Education
insurance,
and protection
Middle
aged Planning
for
&
asset protection
Health plans
31
Health Insurance
32
Tax Relief:
Life Insurance is the best way to enjoy tax deductions on income tax and wealth
tax. This is available for amounts paid by way of premium for life insurance subject to
income tax rates in force.
Assesses can also avail of provisions in the law for tax relief. In such cases the assured in
effect pays a lower premium for insurance than otherwise.
33
At present, women who work and earn an income are treated at par with men. In
other cases, a restrictive clause is imposed, only if the age of the female is up to 30 years
and if she does not have an income attracting Income Tax.
34
PRINCIPLES OF INSURANCE
Insurance is a specialized type of contract. Apart from the usual essentials of a valid
contract, insurance contracts are subject to some additional principles. These principles
provide the framework within which the product and all the contracts of insurance
operate.
These 6 principles are applicable to all the products, both life and Non-Life. These
principles provide the framework within which the products and all the contracts of
Life Insurance operate.
35
Some of the important milestones in the life insurance business in India are
1912 - The Indian Life Assurance Companies Act enacted as the first statute to
regulate the life insurance business.
1928 - The Indian Insurance Companies Act enacted to enable the government to
collect statistical information about both life and non-life insurance businesses.
1938 - Earlier legislation consolidated and amended to by the Insurance Act with
the objective of protecting the interests of the insuring public.
1956 - 245 Indian and foreign insurers and provident societies taken over by the
central government and nationalized. LIC formed by an Act of Parliament, viz. LIC
Act, 1956, with a capital contribution of Rs. 5 crore from the Government of India.
36
1907 - The Indian Mercantile Insurance Ltd. set up, the first company to transact
all classes of general insurance business.
1957 - General Insurance Council, a wing of the Insurance Association of India,
frames a code of conduct for ensuring fair conduct and sound business practices.
1968 - The Insurance Act amended to regulate investments and set minimum
solvency margins and the Tariff Advisory Committee set up.
1972 - The General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Act, 1972 nationalized
the general insurance business in India with effect from 1st January 1973.
107 insurers amalgamated and grouped into four companies viz. the National
Insurance Company Ltd., the New India Assurance Company Ltd., the Oriental Insurance
Company Ltd. and the United India Insurance Company Ltd. GIC incorporated as a
company.
Before insurance sector was opened to the private sector Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) was the only insurance company in India. After the opening up of
Insurance sector in India there has been a glut of insurance companies in India. These
companies have come up with innovative and flexible insurance policies to cater to
varying needs of the individual. Opening up of the Insurance sector has also forced the
LIC to tighten up its belt and deliver better service. All in all it has been a bonanza for the
consumer.
37
The life insurance business in India started since 1818. Till 1956, the insurance
business was mixed and decentralized. In 1956, the life insurance business of all
companies was nationalized and a single monolithic organization, the Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), was set up. The Insurance
Regulatory and
38
Till date, only 20% of the total insurable population of India is covered under
various life insurance schemes, the penetration rates of health and other non-life
insurances in India is also well below the international level. These facts indicate the of
immense growth potential of the insurance sector.
The year 1999 saw a revolution in the Indian insurance sector, as major structural
changes took place with the ending of government monopoly and the passage of the
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Bill, lifting all entry
restrictions for private players and allowing foreign players to enter the market with some
limits on direct foreign ownership.
Though, the existing rule says that a foreign partner can hold 26% equity in an
insurance company, a proposal to increase this limit to 49% is pending with the
government. Since opening up of the insurance sector in 1999, foreign investments of Rs.
8.7 billion have poured into the Indian market and 21 private companies have been
granted licenses.
Innovative products, smart marketing, and aggressive distribution have enabled fledgling
39
Though the total volume of LIC's business increased in the last fiscal year (20042005) compared to the previous one, its market share came down from 87.04 to 78.07%.
The 14 private insurers increased their market share from about 13% to about 22% in a
year's time. The figures for the first two months of the fiscal year 2005-06 also speak of
the growing share of the private insurers. The share of LIC for this period has further
come down to 75 percent, while the private players have grabbed over 24 percent.
There are presently 12 general insurance companies with four public sector
companies and eight private insurers. According to estimates, private insurance
companies collectively have a 10% share of the non-life insurance market.
40
With the initiation of the deregulation in the Indian insurance market, the
monopoly of big public sector companies in life insurance as well as general (non-life
insurance) market has been broken. New private players have entered the market and
with their innovative approaches and better use of distribution channels and technology,
they are eating in to the shares of established public sector companies in Indian Insurance
Market.
Since the deregulations have been put in to place, the market share of LIC has
come down to 71.4% in life insurance market while the private players have captured
around 17% market in the general insurance segment. It is said that, public sector
insurance companies such as LIC and New India Assurance are registered impressive
double-digit growths, which reflects on the overall health of the Indian insurance sector.
41
(Nationalization)
Act,
1972,
Insurance
Regulatory
and
Insurance
Corporation
of
India
(LIC)
was
formed
in
42
43
General Insurance:
General insurance business in the country was nationalized with
effect from 1st January 1973 by the General Insurance Business
(Nationalization)
Act,
1972.
More
than
100
non-life
insurance
44
45
i) Structure:
Government stake in the insurance Companies to be brought down to 50%
Government should take over the holdings of GIC and its subsidiaries so that these
subsidiaries can act as independent corporations. All the insurance companies should be
given greater freedom to operate
ii) Competition:
Private Companies with a minimum paid up capital of Rs.1bn should be allowed to
enter the industry
No Company should deal in both Life and General Insurance through a single Entity.
Foreign companies may be allowed to enter the industry in collaboration with the
domestic companies. Postal Life Insurance should be allowed to operate in the rural
market. Only one State Level Life Insurance Company should be allowed to operate in
each state.
46
v) Customer Service
LIC should pay interest on delays in payments beyond 30 days. Insurance
companies must be encouraged to set up unit linked pension plans. Computerization of
operations and updating of technology to be carried out in the insurance industry. The
committee emphasized that in order to improve the customer services and increase the
coverage of the insurance industry should be opened up to competition. But at the same
time, the committee felt the need to exercise caution as any failure on the part of new
players could ruin the public confidence in the industry.
47
g) Levying fees and other charges for carrying out the purposes of this act.
h) Calling from information from, undertaking inspection of, conducting enquiries
and investigation including audit of the insurers, intermediaries and other
organization connected with the insurance business
i)
j)
Specifying the form and manner in which books of accounts shall be maintained
and statement of account shall be rendered by insurers and other intermediaries.
Insurers
Insurance industry, as on 1.4.2000, comprised mainly two players: the state
insurers
Life Insurers
49
With effect from Dec'2000, these subsidiaries have been de-linked from the parent
company and made as independent insurance companies.
Yr:2000-2001:
(From
2nd
April
'2000
to
31st
December'2001)
50
51
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE
Stress
A physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be
a factor in disease causation
52
Work stress
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. Stress occurs in a wide range of work circumstances but is often
made worse when employees feel they have little support from supervisors and
colleagues and where they have little control over work or how they can cope with its
demands and pressures.
There is often confusion between pressure or challenge and stress and sometimes it is
used to excuse bad management practice. Pressure at the workplace is unavoidable due to
the demands of the contemporary work environment. Pressure perceived as acceptable by
an individual, may even keep workers alert, motivated, able to work
and learn, depending on the available resources and personal characteristics. However,
when that pressure becomes excessive or otherwise unmanageable it leads to stress.
Stress can damage your workers health and your business performance.
Stress results from a mismatch between the demands and pressures on the person, on the
one hand, and their knowledge and abilities, on the other. It challenges their ability to
cope with work. This includes not only situations where the pressures of work exceed the
workers ability to cope but also where the workers knowledge and abilities are not
sufficiently utilized and that is a problem for them. A healthy job is likely to be one where
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25% view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.
Job stress is more strongly associated with health complaints than financial or
family problems.
25% have felt like screaming or shouting because of job stress, 10% are
concerned about an individual at work they fear could become violent.
9% are aware of an assault or violent act in their workplace and 18% had
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What Is Stress?
Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure from the
outside world. Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to
concentrate, and a variety of physical symptoms that include headache and a fast
heartbeat.
It's almost impossible to live without some stress. And most of us wouldn't want to,
because it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it may
harm your health, your relationships, and your enjoyment of life.
Examples of "overload" situations are common in today's world:
You and your spouse both work full time while you are raising your family. At the
same time, your parents are retired, in ill health, and are dependent on your help
with shopping and running errands.
You are a single person living alone, and your salary isn't rising as fast as the rate
of inflation. It's getting harder each month to pay the bills.
You are a divorced parent and share the custody of your children with your former
spouse. But the friction between the two of you on matters concerning the
children is becoming more bitter and more frequent.
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The expectations and competition at your workplace is becoming fierce. You find
yourself coming in early, staying late, and taking on more work than you can
handle.
Tension
Irritability
Inability to concentrate
Trouble sleeping
Dry mouth
A pounding heart
Difficulty breathing
Stomach upset
Frequent urination
Sweating palms
Almost everyone experiences events that they find difficult to cope with. In a
recent poll, 89 percent of people said they had experienced serious stress in their
lives.
According to one study, middle-aged men under severe stress who lacked
emotional support were five times more likely to die within seven years than
those who had the same amount of stress but had close personal ties.
A recent study indicated that stress-management programs may reduce the risk of
heart problems, including heart attack, by up to 75 percent in people with heart
disease.
57
Some people are more productive under deadline pressure; others are miserably
tense.
Some people are eager to help family and friends through difficult times; others
find it very stressful.
58
Some people may feel that changes at work represent a welcome opportunity;
others worry about whether they'll be able to cope.
Personality type plays a role in reaction to stress. For example, people who drive
themselves hard and are impatient (sometimes called Type A personalities) may be more
at risk for stress-related physical problems. Certain occupations, such as law enforcement
or air traffic control, are clearly more stressful than others. In addition, people with a
personal or family history of mental illness may be affected more by stress.
Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by our response to pressure
from the outside world.
The physical symptoms of stress include dry mouth, a pounding heart, difficulty
breathing, stomach upset, frequent urination, sweating palms, and tense muscles
that may cause pain and trembling.
The four types of stress signs include changes in body functions and physical
health, changes in emotions and feelings, changes in behavior, and changes in
thoughts.
Stress has been linked to serious diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and to
a variety of other physical and emotional disorders.
One method of stress management is called the TARP method, which involves
noticing early signs of stress, figuring out the causes, dealing with the effects on
the body, and developing good stress-reduction techniques.
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Medication can be useful for dealing with short periods of acute stress, but it does
not address the underlying problem.
Some people find it helpful to see an expert in stress management, who can assess
which techniques best suit their skills, temperament, and needs. Professional who
help individuals cope with stress include psychologists, psychotherapists, nurses,
physicians, exercise instructors, and dietitians
Stress can cause chronic fatigue, digestive upsets, headaches, and back pain.
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Stress can affect the blood cells that help you fight off infection, so you are more
likely to get colds and other diseases.
Constant stress can increase blood pressure and can increase the risk for stroke.
Stress can increase the danger of heart attacks, particularly if you are often angry
and mistrustful.
Stress triggers behaviors that contribute to death and disability, such as smoking,
alcoholism, drug abuse, and overeating.
Stress can lead to diminished sexual desire and an inability to achieve orgasm.
Stress makes it harder to take other steps to improve health, such as giving up
smoking or making changes in diet
T is for "Tune in" - Get into the habit of noticing early signs of stress.
R is for "Respond" - Deal with the cause of your stress, and its effects on you.
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In addition to the TARP method, other activities and methods also can help manage
stress.
"Tune in"
Tuning in is important, because if you don't tackle your stress early, it can interfere with
your sense of well being and your health almost before you know it. And the effects of
stress often get worse as time goes on.
"Analyze"
Once you know how to "tune in" to your signs of stress, you will be better able to analyze
the situations that are stressful to you. These "stressors," as they are called, could be
either external or internal.
External stressors are things and events outside your body that can make you feel
threatened or out of control. For example:
Internal stressors result from one's own attitudes and thinking patterns. For example:
Do you always talk to yourself with words like "should, must, and ought?"
Do you feel like a failure if you are late, or if things don't go as planned?
Do you have "me last" syndrome, feeling you have to look after everyone else's
needs before you think of your own?
Do you feel worthless unless everyone likes you all the time?
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Are you guilty of "awful-izing," which means always expecting the worst? For
example, if family members are late, do you often imagine they are injured or
dead?
"Respond"
"Responding" in the days of early man meant fighting the source of stress or running
away from it. Your body will still produce a physical "alarm response" that pumps stress
hormones through your body, tensing your muscles and speeding up your heart. This
"alarm response" in most cases doesn't do us any good - and it can be harmful.
You can learn to turn off the alarm response and regain control. You can learn to respond
calmly, and deal actively and positively with your stress, whether it is caused by outside
or internal factors.
Four useful techniques for responding calmly are:
1. Time out. A brief time out is the simplest possible approach to stress:
Stop the activity (or the conversation) that was causing you stress.
If you can't move away, count to 10 silently before you speak again.
2. Breathing. You can often tell if people are under stress because of the way they are
breathing. For example, customs officers have noticed that smugglers are the people
taking fast, shallow breaths. If you learn to control your breathing, it will help you regain
control over the effects of stress.
Watch babies breathing; their abdomens expand when they breathe in.
Watch a tense adult breathing; there may be no movement of the abdomen. All the
work is being done by the chest.
Abdominal breathing can be very soothing, because it slows you down. It is also efficient,
bringing a good supply of oxygen to your brain. Prepare for stressful times by practicing
your breathing now:
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Check your breathing pattern by putting one hand on your chest and one hand on
your stomach. If your lower hand moves and your top hand does not, you are
doing abdominal breathing. But if your top hand moves and your bottom one does
not, you are doing chest breathing.
Practice this "belly breathing" whenever you have spare time (for example, while
you are driving).
Whenever you are stressed, worried, or tense, use your breathing to help calm
yourself down. Take a deep breath and quietly let it go out completely, then let
your abdomen expand as the air comes back into your lungs. Keep noticing your
abdominal breathing for another few breaths.
Start with abdominal breathing, letting all the breath out and then allowing your
abdomen to expand as your lungs fill up again.
When you breathe out again, say "10," letting go of tension as if it is being carried
out of your body with the air.
Next time you breathe out, say "nine," and so on, all the way down to "one."
Each time you breathe out, tell yourself you are letting go of tension.
Many people repeat this sequence slowly for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. They
find that with each new countdown, they reach a deeper level of relaxation.
When we are under stress, we often feel things are happening too fast. Another technique,
called slow-down breathing, can help you get settled down and in control. It starts with
abdominal breathing, and uses cue words to help you focus and clear your mind.
Examples of cue words are:
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Practice breathing techniques for five or 10 minutes until you get the feel of it, then again
several times a day for a few moments. Then it will be instantly ready to use as a "minitranquilizer" whenever you notice yourself starting to feel tense or out of control.
3. Progressive muscle relaxation. This technique will help you get rid of the muscle
tension that is a major sign of uncontrolled stress, and which can lead to headaches, back
pain, and muscle pulls. It is based on the principle that muscles go to a deeper level of
relaxation after they have been tensed.
Lie on the floor or on a firm bed, or sit in a chair that has good head support.
Next, tighten up the muscles of different parts of your body in turn; keep them
tight while you count silently to five; then let go and imagine the tension going
out as you relax and smooth the muscles.
Start with your face. Squint your eyes, tighten your teeth and jaw, and wrinkle
your forehead. Feel the tension while you count silently to five, and then let go of
it. Feel the warmth of relaxation coming to your face.
Next, pull your shoulders up until they nearly touch your ears. Feel the tension
while you count silently to five. Then let go.
When you have finished, notice the tension and release in all your muscles.
Breathe deeply a few times, and feel relaxed, refreshed, and comfortable.
4. Thought-stopping. This is a good technique for dealing with stress that comes from
your own negative feelings. When you notice negative thoughts, just say "stop!" to
yourself. It may sound too simple to be effective - but it works, even though you may
have to repeat the word several times until the negative thoughts are interrupted.
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Imagine that the negative thoughts are coming from a tape recorder, and that you
can push the "stop" button or turn down the volume to zero.
Imagine sticky paper that catches your negative thoughts as they fly about.
Imagine you are driving through a car wash that washes the thoughts away.
"Prevent"
There are simple things you can do to help your body and mind withstand stress. These
will help you improve your immune system, your energy level, your self-esteem, and
your sense of well-being.
1. Relaxation. Relaxing regularly will help prevent stress.
Set aside just 15 minutes every day, whether you are feeling stressed or not.
Go through whatever relaxation procedures work best for you. Techniques such as
yoga and stretching can be effective, as can progressive muscle relaxation.
2. Regular exercise. If you know people who run, swim, or bicycle regularly, you may
notice that they have less stress than others. When your body is in first-class condition,
your mind and emotions will also benefit. Regular exercise is one excellent way to
"stress-proof" yourself, or at reduce the bad effects of stress.
Exercise can make you look better, sleep better, concentrate better, and withstand disease
better. It will also improve your mood and make you feel better about yourself. The best
exercise for stress-proofing is aerobic activity, which uses your whole body. This includes
jogging, bicycling, brisk walking, cross-country skiing, aerobic dancing, swimming,
rowing, skating, and stair-stepping.
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If you are not used to exercise, start with walking. Walk briskly for about 20
minutes, three times a week.
As you get in shape, take longer walks, or switch to a more vigorous form of
activity.
If you don't have access to a lake, mountain, or country road to row, ski, or bike
on, substitute on machines at home or in a gym. But whenever you can, get out
into nature. The quietness and change of scene will help your stress levels.
3. Eating right. You will be much better able to withstand stress if your body feels good,
and it can't feel good if you don't feed it properly.
Make sure you have three good meals a day, with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and
filling food like bread, rice, or noodles.
If you get hungry between meals, plan for a nutritious snack like fruit, yogurt, or a
bagel. If you take a snack to work with you, you won't be tempted by junk food.
4. Chemicals: alcohol and drugs. People may be tempted to take a drink or drugs to deal
with stress. It doesn't help. Alcohol may seem to calm you down, but it only masks the
symptoms of stress for a while. Excessive alcohol (and drugs) will give you a rebound;
you are likely to feel more stressed than ever when the effects wear off.
One or two drinks a day, such as a glass of wine or beer with dinner, usually won't harm
you. If you are regularly drinking much more than that, cut down - and if that is hard to
do, get some help.
5. Tobacco. People often say that a cigarette "calms their nerves," but tobacco is really a
stimulant. If you are afraid that quitting would cause you too much stress, talk to your
doctor about prescribing a nicotine patch or gum to help ease the difficulty of withdrawal.
Patches or gum work best if you also join a quit-smoking group or use a good self-help
program that helps you learn to be a nonsmoker. In the long run, you will become a
calmer person if you stop smoking.
6. Caffeine. People have different reactions to caffeine, and most people can take two or
three cups of coffee or tea a day without trouble. But you might try cutting down your
67
Humor
Hobbies
Meditation
Biofeedback
Massage therapy
Humor
Many stress-management experts recommend keeping a sense of humor during difficult
situations. Laughing releases muscle tension and helps a person maintain perspective.
Activities as simple as watching a funny movie, listening to a tape of a comedian's
routine, or sharing time with a humorous friend can provide a psychological lift and
relieve stress.
Hobbies
Regular leisure activities are important in reducing stress. Many people benefit from
making time for positive leisure pursuits rather than, for example, spending time
watching television in the evening (although that, too, can be relaxing to some degree).
68
Meditation
Used for many years in Eastern cultures, meditation is becoming more widely accepted in
the U.S. as a relaxation technique. Meditation reduces heart rate, blood pressure,
adrenaline levels, and skin temperature.
There are a variety of meditation techniques that share a common goal: to achieve
relaxation by clearing the mind of stressful outside interferences. Meditation involves
achieving a state of consciousness in which the individual focuses on a single thing, such
as a key word, sound, or image.
Meditation techniques rely on quiet surroundings, sitting still, and a repetitive mental
pattern. Various techniques are taught in instruction books and through religious and
nonreligious organizations.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback provides a way for people to learn to control activities over which they
normally have no awareness, such as heart rate and muscle tension. It is considered by
many health professionals to be a valuable therapeutic tool for reducing stress.
Biofeedback involves no discomfort and no risk.
Biofeedback relies on sensitive electronic equipment. Sensors are placed on the body at
various locations to measure skin temperature and muscle activity. The sensors are
attached to a monitor that detects fluctuations when a person is anxious and displays
signals in the form of beeps or light flashes. By watching the monitor, a person learns to
control these stressful responses.
Massage Therapy
69
70
71
Stress management
Stress management is the amelioration of stress and especially chronic stress often for the
purpose of improving everyday functioning.
A set of techniques used to help an individual cope more effectively with difficult
situations in order to feel better emotionally, improve behavioral skills, and often to
enhance feelings of control.
A wide variety of techniques that are utilized to treat the physical and emotional
effects of stress
The person's current ways of coping with stress and anxiety are explored, suggestions are
made to build on these strategies, and relevant practice is provided using simple stress
management-techniques.
A decision-making strategy that is reactive in nature. Once a resource issue becomes
critical, then policy is determined to cope with the immediate problem without any
consideration of long-term implications of such a policy.
The personal analysis of the kinds of stress experienced while flying, the application of
appropriate stress assessment tools, and other coping mechanisms
The process of identifying stress factors and learning coping skills to deal with them
This is a broad category of options/treatments that range from counseling and life
coaching, to massage therapy and remedies (homeopathic, naturopathic, herbal).
72
The skilful handling or use of mental, emotional, or physical strain in order to avoid
symptoms such as raised blood pressure or depression.
This is particularly helpful once the person has recovered from the anorexia nervosa.
Learning to deal with stress will help to reduce the chance of future relapse.
Research Methodology
Research Design
Research design is simply a plan for a study. This is used as a guide in collecting and
analyzing the data. It can be called a blue print to carryout to study.
The descriptive research design has been used for the study. Descriptive design is a
scientific method which involves observing and describing the behavior of a subject
without influencing it in any way.
73
Primary data
The primary or the first hand data will be collected with the help of handing out the
questionnaire to the customers &employees.
Tools for primary data collection
Questionnaire
Personal Interviews
Secondary data
74
Sampling Design
The research was mainly opted on EMPLOYEES survey
The sample size selected for survey was 54 employees.
Sample Character
Employees of Reliance
eliance life insurance
Sampling Plan
75
: Individuals.
Sampling Method
Sampling Size
: 54 Employees.
Sampling Character
: Employees
Sample Area
: KOPPAL TERRITORY
Number of respondents
14
Percentage
26
76
32
7
1
54
59
13
2
100
Chart 1a.1 showing the number of employees who think that the behavior from their
managers/staff is a significant factor in creating work related stress
70
59
60
50
40
30
26
20
13
10
0
2
Not at all
Occasionally
Sometimes
Response
Number of respondents
12
28
13
1
54
77
Percentage
22
52
24
2
100
Chart 1b.11 showing the number of employees who believe dealing with conflicting
situations
affects
their
stress
level
52
60
50
40
Percent
24
22
30
20
10
e
tim
Al
lt
he
es
et
im
So
m
io
na
lly
O
cc
as
ot
at
al
l
Response
Number of respondents
78
Percentage
18
27
8
1
54
33
50
15
2
100
Chart 1c.1 showing the number of employees who believe that lack of management
support
Affect their stress level
50
Percent
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
33
15
2
Not at all
Occasionally Sometimes
Response
Number of respondents
21
21
79
Percentage
39
39
10
2
54
18
4
100
Chart 1d.1 showing the number of employees who believe that lack of
communication with peers affect their stress level
e
tim
es
et
im
Al
lt
he
18
So
m
O
cc
as
39
io
na
lly
39
ot
at
al
l
Percent
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Response
Number of respondents
14
27
8
5
80
Percentage
26
50
15
9
54
100
Chart 1e.1 showing the number of employees who feel their work is not valued affect
their stress level
60
50
40
Percent
30
20
50
26
15
10
0
Not at all
Occasionally Sometimes
9
All the time
Response
Roles
2 a). Conflicting demands in job role
Table 2a.1 showing the number of employees who believe that conflicting demands
in their job role affect their stress level
Response
Not at all
Occasionally
Number of respondents
16
23
81
Percentage
30
43
13
2
54
number of employees who believe
24
3
100
that conflicting demands
50
30
40
24
30
Percent
20
10
e
tim
Al
lt
he
es
So
m
et
im
io
na
lly
O
cc
as
ot
at
al
l
Response
Number of respondents
14
23
14
3
54
82
Percentage
26
43
26
5
100
Chart 2b.1 showing the number of employees who believe that unclear job
description affect their stress level
Percent
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
43
26
26
5
Not at all
Occasionally
Sometimes
Response
Number of respondents
14
29
10
1
54
83
Percentage
26
54
18
2
100
Percentage chart
18
Not at all
Occasionally
26
Sometimes
All the time
54
Response
Not at all
Occasionally
Sometimes
All the time
Total
Number of respondents
19
19
13
3
54
84
Percentage
35
35
24
6
100
Percent
20
15
10
5
0
Not
Sometimes
All the
35at all Occasionally
35
24
6 time
Response
Change
3 a). Pace and intensity of change
Table 3a.1 showing the number of employees who believe that the pace and intensity
of change affect their stress level
Response
Not at all
Occasionally
Sometimes
Total
Number of respondents
20
25
9
54
85
Percentage
37
46
17
100
50
40
Percent
30
20
10
0
Not
37at all
Occasionally
46
Sometimes
17
Response
Support
4a). Lack of information about what is going on
Table 4a.1 showing the number of employees who think lack of information about
what is going on affects their stress level
Response
Not at all
Occasionally
Sometimes
All the time
Number of respondents
15
25
13
1
86
Percentage
28
46
24
2
46
40
30
Percent
28
24
20
10
0
2
Not at all
Occasionally Sometimes
Response
Number of respondents
25
15
12
2
54
87
Percentage
46
28
22
4
100
tim
Al
lt
he
et
im
es
22
So
m
O
cc
as
28
io
na
lly
46
ot
at
al
l
Percent
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Response
Number of respondents
Percentage
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Total
13
32
6
3
54
24
59
11
6
100
88
Percentage
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
24 agree
Strongly
59
Agree
11
Disagree
Strongly6Disagree
89
Percentage
13
72
13
2
100
say over the way they do
St
ro
ng
ly
St
ro
ng
ly
13
D
is
ag
re
e
72
Ag
re
e
13
di
sa
gr
ee
2
ag
re
e
Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Response
Inferences:
Based on the chart, we can infer that 3/4th of the employees agree that they have a say
over the way they do their work because there is cordial relation with their superiors. 1/4th
of the employees feel that they are not able to have a say over the way they do their work
because of difference in their opinions with that of their superiors.
IV. I believe that I receive adequate support and information from my colleagues and superiors.
Table IV.1 showing the number of employees who receive adequate support and
information from their colleagues and superiors
Response
Number of respondents
Percentage
Strongly agree
17
32
Agree
24
45
Disagree
8
15
Strongly disagree
5
8
Total
54
100
Chart IV.1 showing the number of employees who receive adequate support and
information from their colleagues and superiors
90
Percent
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Strongly
32 agree
Agree
45
Disagree
15
Strongly8disagree
Response
91
Percent
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Strongly
26 agree
Agree
50
Disagree
Strongly
22
2 disagree
Response
Number of respondents
16
28
8
2
54
number of employees who
92
Percentage
29
52
15
4
100
understand their roles and
Percentage
60
52
50
40
30
20
10
0
29 agree
Stronlgy
Agree
15
Disagree
Strongly4disagree
VII. The organization engages staff frequently when undertaking organizational change.
Table VII.1 showing the number of employees who feel that the organization
engages staff frequently
Response
Number of respondents
Percentage
Strongly agree
5
9
Agree
30
56
Disagree
18
33
Strongly disagree
1
2
Total
54
100
Chart VII.1 showing the number of employees who feel that the organization
engages staff frequently
93
Percentage chart
2
Strongly agree
33
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
56
VIII. Do you think the working hours per week influence their stress level?
Table VIII.1 showing the number of employees who believe the average number of
working hours per week influence their stress level
Response
Number of respondents
Percentage
Strongly agree
16
30
Agree
15
28
Disagree
13
24
Strongly disagree
10
18
Total
54
100
Chart VIII.1 showing the number of employees who believe that the average
number of working hours per week influence their stress level
94
28
24
di
sa
gr
ee
St
ro
ng
ly
D
is
ag
re
e
St
ro
ng
ly
Ag
re
e
18
ag
re
e
Percent
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Response
95
Strongly
17 agree
28
Agree
Disagree
46
Strongly
9 disagree
Response
X. Are you satisfied with the program for reducing the stress?
Table X.1 showing the number of employees who are satisfied with the program for
reducing the stress
Response
Number of respondents
Percentage
Yes
17
65
No
9
35
Total
26
100
Chart X.1 showing the number of employees who are satisfied with the program for
reducing the stress
96
70
60
50
Percent 40
Yes
30
No
20
10
0
65
35
Percentage
Response
FINDINGS
Majority of the respondents are happy surrounded by positive behavior but there
are few respondents who gets affected by the behavior of the managers/staff.
Majority of the respondents say that they are able to cope with the demands of
their job.
The majority of the respondents believe that they receive adequate support from
their superiors and colleagues.
97
72%of employees feel that lack of support from peers will affect their stress level
since majority of respondents believe that they receive adequate support in the
organization. Lack of support from peers is not a significant factor for stress for
the employees.
Majority of the respondents believe that lack of communication with peers and
lack of information about what is going on affect their stress level.
Maximum of the respondents feel that if their work and efforts are not valued, it
affects their stress level.
74% of the respondents believe that unclear job description would affect their
stress level, since 82%understand their roles and responsibilities.
Job ambiguity
63% of the respondents believe that the pace and intensity of change affect their
stress level
54% of the respondents believe that insufficient admin support affect their stress
level
65% of the respondents believe that the organization engages staff frequently
when undertaking organizational change
58% of the respondents agree that the number of working hours per week
influences their stress level
65% of the respondents are satisfied with the program for reducing their stress
98
The project duration was only for 04 weeks (almost 1month) within which many things
cannot be dealt practically. There was a time constraint.
99
The employees can be given full support from their superiors by appraising their
work and efforts.
The employees should be given all the information relevant to their job and things
going on in the company.
100
Stress is inevitable. There is a need to manage with the stress in present day. Though
stress is helpful but usually harmful for his/her health and ultimately affects the
performance .So stress need to be managed with minimum its debilitating effects. It has
been used to denote the way of dealing with stress or the effort major condition of harm
threat or challenge when routine or automatic response is not readily available. It is also
suggested that various strategies to be used to manage stress. Mover formulated strategies
vary from person to person and in the same person from time to time. The various
strategies may be at the individual level and at the organizational level. In competitive
101
QUESTIONNAIRE
I. Which factors associated with your current post do you think create work related
stress? Please tick the options.
Stress related factors
Not at all
1 Relationships
102
Occasionally
Sometim
All
es
times
the
Not at all
Occasionally
Role
Change
4 Support
a Lack of information about what is going
on
b Insufficient admin support
b) D
c) A
d) SA
103
Sometim
All
es
times
the
b) D
c) A
d) SA
b) D
c) A
d) SA
VI.
b) D
c) A
d) SA
VII.
The
b) D
organization
c) A
engages
d) SA
staff
frequently
when
undertaking
organizational change.
a) SD
b) D
c) A
d) SA
VIII. Do you think that number of working hours per week influences their
stress level?
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
104
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
X.
Are you satisfied with the programs for reducing the stress level?
o Yes
o No
BIBLIOGRAPHY
TEXTBOOKS:
Websites:
www.reliancelife.co.in
www.licindia.com
Newspaper:
Business Line
106