P/HR/27. Discuss the range of factors that may influence the stress levels of individuals in modern organisations. How can an understanding of these factors help the practising manager?

Conclusion: The examples of stress factors covered in this discussion are only a few of the many factors that can cause stress in everyday life both in and outside of work. This discussion has focussed in on ways that a manager and the individual concerned can turn these stress factors into manageable pressure factors, thus alleviating the symptoms of stress. As discussed it is important for companies to ensure stress levels are kept as low as possible. The symptoms experienced by individuals under stress, such as raised blood pressure, depressed mood and so on are magnified and felt by the company when productivity falls, absence increases and ultimately financial costs are incurred. It can be seen from this discussion that stress can be seen from two angles: the causes of stress and how an individual responds to it. What is excessive stress for one individual is no more than an exciting and stimulating challenge to another. Simply being aware of this difference does not help a manager decide how best to manage the individuals concerned. However, understanding the factors involved and understanding the individuals can help a manager alleviate the symptoms of these stress factors. Using these approaches there should be no such thing as stress factors. Pressure factors will always exist, but can be managed.