An investigation into the impact of a stressful work environment on productivity and employee well-being

Abstract

The study involved an investigation of the relationship between job stress and burnout amongst a sample of 40 employees of South African Breweries. The primary aim of the study was to ascertain whether unchecked and prolonged exposure to stressful situations would result in eventual burnout, thus affecting the health of the employees and the productivity of the organisation. The secondary aim of the study was to provide recommendations for possible proactive solutions that could be implemented by companies and individuals to mitigate the onset of stressful situations. A Likert design was used. The data was collected using a purposefully developed questionnaire. The sample consisted of 40 employees from different racial groups. The results of the study showed that workloads, meeting target deadlines and extremely competitive market conditions all continuously add incremental amounts of stress. Continued exposure to prolonged stress can result in serious consequences for employees. If the stressors continue unchecked they can lead to eventual burnout and loss in productivity. Organisations therefore need to ensure that various proactive measures are implemented in order to mitigate the impact of stress on the wellbeing of their employees. These stress mitigation strategies will have a positive impact on the overall performance of the business.