Preventive Stress Management 4

In the last byte, we began discussion on the organizational stress prevention approaches adopted. In today's byte, we look at job redesign but begin with a model of job-strain adapted from the original developed by B Gardell in "Efficiency and Health Hazards in Mechanized Works" from our reference book. Following is the model.

The model presented above indicates that a combination of high job demands and restricted job decision latitude or worker control leads to a situation of high strain. Invariably job redesign should attempt to enhance worker control. This reduces distress and strain without necessarily reducing productivity in many scenarios.

Reduction in job stress by increasing worker control in job redesign is one means of achieving preventive stress, there are other means as well; say job decision latitude being increased. This could be done through greater decision authority in sequencing of work activities, the timing of work schedules, selection and sequencing of work tools, or even selection of the work team.

It is important to note, that job redesign should also work at reducing uncertainty and increasing predictability in the work one performs.