Organizational behavior Assignment projected answer 2 ( Sandy’s health problem?/A Gnawing Stomachache case study)

              

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1) Optimum level of stress is necessary for human progress. Unfortunately, we have to experience either too high or too low levels of stress. Because of that we have to face many psychological, behavioral and physiological problems. 

                                                                      Studying this case, it can be concluded that sandy Celeste has stress. This stress also seems to be the cause of her severe headache and stomach ache. Severe headache and stomach ache are physiological symptoms of stress. Many of the organizational, group and individual stressors that caused her to have this stress can be seen in this case study.

                   The first of these was her divorce. As a result, she has to take care of her children on her own. It can be described as an individual stressor. She also seems to have minimal work experience and training as she has never worked full time away from home. It can also be said that training her for only 2 months is not enough. This reason also seems to have been a reason for her stress.

                               Organizational stress consists of four major potential stressors. They are organizational policies, structures, physical conditions, and processes. A key point that emerges in this case is the problematic nature of the organizational policies of this organization. It has caused a lot of stress in the employees of this company and also caused the stress of sandy. Even salespersons are not happy to deal with these policies. Consumers are also embarrassed. Despite the situation, Sandy is under a lot of stress as she continues to try to implement these inflexible policies.

                                           Organizational structure is another main potential source of stress. In this case, problems with Devon's organizational structure have also contributed to this situation. For example, Devon's salesperson does not seem to have a chance to contribute to the decision-making process. Both customers and salesperson seem to be embarrassed by the lack of space for their ideas, which are always dealt with by customers. This will also have a direct impact on Sandy, an institution supervisor.

                                               Also, there is no proper division of power and functions in this institution. Sandy has to work in 3 departments and there is a bit of confusion as all 6 departments are in a small range. Since there were 3 supervisors, each had the opportunity to be assigned to two departments, but for not doing so; Sandy had to work in 3 departments. This can be attributed to Sandy's stress due to the large number of tasks assigned to her.

Due to the rules and regulations in force in Devon’s organizational process, employees and supervisors are kept very busy. It is clear that the task demand of this company is very high. The case mentions supervisors and salesperson busy making remarking the merchandise as one sale stops and another start. It also seems that sandy has not received the required social support especially from salespersons and supervisors work autonomy is also low. All of these factors are the reasons for this situation where sandy has become.

 

2) The company can take several steps to alleviate the stress of its supervisors. Managers of this company can reduce stress of supervisors through making some adjustments to the macro level stressors such as organizational policies, structure, physical conditions, and organizational process.

                      To do this, the first task is to create a supportive organizational climate. For create a supportive organizational climate, decentralization and increase employee participation in decision making is an essential approach. Decentralization means the handling down of decision making authority to lower levels in an organization. It seems that the salesmen and supervisors of this company do not have the opportunity to get involved in the decision making process. They follow the rules of the company, but it is clear that they have been severely embarrassed by some of those rules. Supervisor Sandy also stressed because continuing to implement these strict organizational policies. Taking the views and suggestions of the lower level employees of the organization and changing the tough decisions taken by the top management will alleviate the company's predicament.

                                      This case study shows that the company is over formalized. By studying Devon’s merchandising philosophy, it becomes very clear. If organization tasks are highly formalized, employees are unable to fulfill them and it causes stress. Creating an organic organizational structure reduces complexity and formalization and helps to alleviate stress.

                 Create healthy physical conditions at work is another important step that can be taken to control stress. One of the major shortcomings of this company is the limited space. Due to this, it seems that there is an overcrowding situation in the company. It can have a detrimental effect on stress. To alleviate this situation, several supervisors' private offices can be brightly colored, wall decorations, with higher ceilings and rectangular rooms, which can enhance privacy and reduce the feeling of overcrowding.

                                                                           Utilization of training and development programs are an essential way to reduce stress. 'If an individual feels that he does not have enough knowledge and training to do his job he may experience job stress. This case study shows that Sandy, who was recruited as a supervisor, was given only 2 months of training. This is clearly not enough training period and eventually sandy was also under stress. By redirecting the supervisors of this company to a formal training process, the stress situation can be alleviated.

                     Introducing employee carrier counseling systems is another effective way to relieve stress. Carrier counseling can be defined as a process which enables people to recognize and utilize their resources to make carrier-related decisions and manage carrier-related problems. By implementing a career counseling program at Devon, supervisors such as Sandy, who work there, can reduce stress.

 

Individual copying strategies that Sandy can try

Sandy can use several Individual Coping Strategies to relieve the stress she is facing. The first of these is "Work hard, Play hard and Relax hard”. If an individual is working hard on his job and getting enough time to play and relax then that individual is in a better position to mange stress. Not only working hard but also includes physical exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming etc.  If sandy can set aside even a little time for such physical exercises during work, it will help her in good health. Practicing relaxation methods such as meditation, yoga, can help Sandy to cope with any difficult situation and to have the mental concentration needed to make the right decisions. Creative diversions such as music, art, theatre also can calm down the mind and help relieve stress.

                             Behavioral self-control is another individual coping strategy that Sandy can use to relieve stress. If individual can manage his or her behaviors then he or she can manage his/her own stress levels also. For example Sandy may have steady stream of salesmen complains if she can manage them in calm and collected mood then she is a person who can manage and control her own behavior

            Sandy can change her way of life and lifestyle, then she’ll be able to reduce her stress. She can incorporate the following into her daily life.

• ·         Get enough sleep
• ·         Review job or personal priorities regularly
• ·         Talk positive about herself
• ·         Take regular time off
• ·         Keep fit
• ·         Have pleasure time for family or friends and plan holidays

Sandy can cut out needless appointments and tasks, she had been involved before. There is a very busy environment in this company so that action will save the time required to work easily. Listening to relaxation music while working will also give her mental relief. Taking an occasional break for a short time while working and relaxing also reduces the risk of stress.

    Social support is important individual coping strategy to manage and reduce job stress. It is very important for sandy to have a group of loyal, understanding friends within the company. They will listen to Sandy and work to boost Sandy's confidence. Through such strategies, sandy will be able to easily get rid of the stress she is facing.