Stress Inducing Factors and Its Effect on Employees Performance among Selected Instituions

Aims: The study examined the relationship between stress inducing factors and employee performance in Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Study Design: Cross sectional survey design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for labour studies and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) between December 2019 and September 2020

Methodology: The survey method was employed whilst 400 respondents were purposively selected from the Training department, Planning, Research and Curriculum Development department and Programs department which are the core departments under pressure to deliver all year round in the institutions under study. The questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used in analyzing the data.

Results: Results show that the most stress inducing factor was pressure to deliver on time because of mode of operations (60%), non-conducive working environment (59%) and being insufficiently skilled for the job (37%). The effects of stress on employee performance include dependence on drugs and alcohol (86%), illness and sickness (75%), fatigue (40%) and irritability (25%).

Conclusion: It is recommended that a conducive working environment should be created for employees and that counselors and counseling rooms should be provided by organizations to enable their employees have a safe place to de-stress without fear of stigmatization. Also, training and re-training of employees should be done frequently to improve set skills. This will significantly reduce work stress and enhance performance which will in turn increase organizational productivity.