Occupational stress and its management in the pole treatment industries of Zimbabwe: a case study of Border Timbers Limited Pole Treatment Yard, Mutare

Abstract

The main goal of the study was to assess occupational stress and its management in the Pole Treatment industries of Zimbabwe with focus on Border Timbers Limited Pole Treatment Yard. Identification of sources of stress, examination of patterns and coping strategies as well as analysis of relationships between perceived levels of stress and various variables such as job experience and work site were done. The research employed a cocktail of both quantitative and qualitative methods through the use of techniques such as questionnaires, interviews and observations. The research established that safety issues, unhealthy work sites, delays in the payment of salaries, unfair salaries and benefits as well as lack of recognition for outstanding work done were the main sources of stress. It ascertained that workers were more affected by organizational related factors as compared to job related ones. The research also established that workers who are tenants, sole breadwinners with big family sizes and mostly affected by home pressure recorded high levels of work stress. Institutional coping strategies were found to be fragmented, weak and almost nonexistent. On an individual basis, most workers employed positive coping strategies such as going to church and releasing pressure through discussing troubling issues with coworkers. Proper environmental management at the work sites, stress management training and adoption of employee wellness and assistance programs were the main recommendations brought forward to improve the workers’ welfare and reduce the levels of occupational stress.