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What Is the Connection between Stress and Job Performance?

By Maggie Worth
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,022
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Stress and job performance have long been linked. In most cases, stress is believed to have a negative effect on performance at work. This includes stress factors that are work related as well as other life stressors. Workers who experience high levels of stress may be ill or absent more often, may be more prone to make errors and may have a lower tolerance for challenging situations or people. They are also likely to have lower levels of job satisfaction, a factor that is often linked to a decrease in performance levels and an increase in turnover rates.

Over the years, a number of studies have been performed on the link between stress and job performance. Some studies are formal and documented, while others are informal surveys conducted by organizations and companies seeking to increase worker productivity. Numerous papers and books have been published on the topic.

In general, stress is thought to affect job performance negatively. On-the-job stressors, such as poor or unsafe working conditions, bad management and unreasonable expectations are most certainly detrimental to an employee's ability to perform well. Such stressors often affect employee morale, making workers less enthusiastic about their jobs and about the company. Unmotivated workers will generally be less effective than those who are comfortable with their jobs and the work environment.

Some job-place stress is more directly linked to poor performance. For example, lack of proper training causes an employee to lack confidence in his ability to do the job. This causes worry over poor performance reviews and even termination, which in turn, causes stress. In this case, the link between stress and job performance is two-fold. The stressor — a lack of proper training — reduces job effectiveness, and the problem is exacerbated by the stress caused by worrying about job security.

There is also a distinct correlation between personal stress and job performance. Employees who have high levels of stress at home, due to family, monetary or other concerns, are likely to be distracted from their work by worry over those stressors. Even stressors such as a long or difficult commute can affect performance. Stress is also a factor in mental and physical conditions that can affect absenteeism and performance.

In certain instances, the link between stress and job performance can be quite different. This generally happens in terms of positive stress. For example, an individual who has recently been promoted or who is working on a high-visibility project will experience a certain amount of stress. This positive stress, however, can actually drive the worker to perform more effectively.

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Discussion Comments
By ddljohn — On Mar 02, 2014

My doctor also told me that stress affects job performance negatively. I've been under a lot of stress at work. I've started experiencing anxiety, insomnia and poor memory. My doctor told me that the stress is causing too much cortisol production in my body. Cortisol has all sorts of ill effects like the symptoms I'm experiencing. No wonder I can't concentrate so well at work anymore.

By stoneMason — On Mar 02, 2014

@SarahGen-- But you're not under stress all the time right? Your job performance may not decrease if you experience stress at work occasionally. We are able to deal with small amounts of stress. But if the stress became constant and severe, your job performance will certainly become poor. You are clearly talking about positive stress but most employees experience the opposite, negative stress. And negative stress is not good for employee performance.

This is why in countries like Japan where corporate employees work more than 100 hours a week, employers are making their employees meditate or do yoga during lunch hour. They know that their efficiency will decrease if they don't reduce their employees' stress levels.

By SarahGen — On Mar 01, 2014

I guess I'm odd because I work even better when I'm under stress on the job. I'm able to multi-function and get a lot more done. I thrive when there are deadlines and competition.

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