Stress Management in Banking Sector

This study focuses on stress management in the banking sector. It discusses the need for stress management, literature review, research design, ways of stress management, expected outcomes, and conclusion.

Running Head: Stress Management in Banking Sector 0
Effective Business Enquiry and Communication
Stress Management at Workplace
Student Details
10/11/2018

Stress Management in Banking Sector 1
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Need of Stress Management...................................................................................................2
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................3
Research Design.........................................................................................................................3
Ways of Stress Management in Banking Sector....................................................................3
Expected Outcomes....................................................................................................................5
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
Reference....................................................................................................................................7

Stress Management in Banking Sector 2
Introduction
In modern society workplace stress has become a matter of concern and becoming a critical
issue (Singh and Gupta, 2016). Both the employees and the organizations are concerned due
to increasing stress as it affects the health and the progress of both respectively (Innocent,
Ikechukwu and Nnagbogu, 2014). Stress affects both the mental and physical health of
people as it cause distress to mental and physical health (Paranthaman, 2015). It is more
prominent in corporate sector. In recent years, there has become a fast change in the banking
sector due to liberalization and globalization. This rapid growth in banking results in creating
much pressure and challenges for the employees (Reddy and Reddy, 2016).
Qualitative method of data collection would be more appropriate in data collection regarding
this area of interest. Various interviews would be conducted with the employees and other
stakeholders so that they can tell about the exact problems, work environment in particular
organization. Here, observations and information are taken from some already existing
documents and research done.
Need of Stress Management
Stress and performance of employees are directly related to each other. To an optimum point,
stress improves the performance of employees but beyond to that point, it decreases the
performance. This actually happens because of tiredness and depression caused by stress in
employees who work in stressful situations (Agarwal, 2018). As employees work under such
critical deadlines, it has become primary need that mental and physical comfort at the
workplace is ensured. Sector must work on providing stress free environment to increase the
productivity (Reddy & Reddy, 2016). This study will be helpful in understanding the kind of

Stress Management in Banking Sector 3
problems that causes stress to bank employees and the methods to overcome workplace
stress.
Literature Review
A study on stress management by Azad, Tilottama(2014), he carried out a research in a bank
and discovered various factors that were leading the stress in banking sector, that are more
working hours, improper job autonomy, inappropriate reward system, work culture of
organization and lack of support from management. His conclusion suggested taking
appropriate steps for stress management.
Similarly, Gopika (2014), analysed the stress level in bank employees. He interviewed
employees of around 100 private and public banks and collected information about their
organization and the problems they face during work. His study derived various factors such
as work overload, lack of autonomy and improper rewards cause stress among employees. He
suggested that to increase the productivity, psychological wellness should be enhanced.
Shukla & Garg (2013), studied the reasons of stress and how employees deal with the stress
at workplace. They found the main reasons of stress are insecurity, uncertainty,
compensation, workload, fear of job loss, working hours and many others. Their research
suggest authorities some strategies to combat stress at workplace such as job rotation ,
encouraging and appreciating employees, proper rewards, playing games, outdoor
interactions, psychological support and many other ways to reduce stress.

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Research Design
Ways of Stress Management in Banking Sector
Stress refers the physical and mental reaction of the body when stress increases over optimum
point. Whereas, some stress is needed to increase the efficiency and for motivation but too
much stress would have negative impact and results in less efficiency and effectiveness.
Among the top ten stressed workplaces, banks are one of them (Sumesh and Asha, 2018).
Therefore, banks are taking steps to overcome the stress levels at the work place that will lead
to increase in efficiency and productivity. Banks are employing consulting experts and
Human Resource practitioners to increase motivation of their employees. HR department is
involved in planning and decisions and has become an integral part of the organization.
To eliminate the workplace stress, banks are implementing different methods and plans at all
the levels (Kaur & Sharma, 2016). Banks should provide flexible work arrangements to
employees. It will allow employees to comfortably adjust their working times and also their
location if needed (Kankaanranta and Planken, 2010). It will help in reducing the chances of
unnecessary stress. Flexible work arrangements include; telecommuting, flextime, job-
sharing etc. Telecommuting allows employees to work from whichever position/location they
are (Bajada and Trayler, 2013 p.89). Flextime allows employees pick their working hours.
This would make employees more comfortable at work. Job sharing just divide a certain task
into sections and each employee does a section of that task.
Proper holiday/breaks should be provided to employees. Scholars have proven that
employees who are given proper holiday/breaks perform way much better than those who do
not get proper rest time (Bajada and Trayler, 2013).
Some popular companies like Google and Uber has nap rooms so that employees can take
rest and help employees to regain their energy (Bupa Health & Care, 2017). Employees work

Stress Management in Banking Sector 5
hard to achieve targets and fulfilling job requirements, so the chances are that they are
missing the much needed break which results in work stress. Hence, these practices will help
employees to regain their energy and also in reducing the stress effects. Generally, all
employees are entitle at least a month off per year for them to get some rest. During this
period an employee should be paid.
Some other steps that are taken by banks include health of employees is given priority,
stressors like job insecurity, uncertainty and fear of job loss are eliminated through effective
communication, after every task completion employees are being appraised, Employee
development programs are conducted to make them understand about work environment,
according the levels of employees stress control workshops are organised (Kaur & Sharma,
2016).
Individually employees should practise stress buster techniques and programs like yoga and
meditation (Kaur & Sharma, 2016).
To prevent and manage the workplace stress, it requires the involvement of organizations. It
is referred as organisational stress management (Michie, 2015).
Last but not the least practice that helps in reducing the stress is providing mini gym or game
rooms in the banks for employees. It may do wonders, as both the game and exercise release
‘happy’ hormones, that will help employees to deal with stressful situations.
Expected Outcomes
From the above study, it is clear that employees have different kinds of stress like mental
stress, physical stress and emotional stress. Most of the employees are stressed due the
workloads or the pressure of meeting deadlines. It has found that target levels are set much
high for employees and this result in excessive work load (Reddy & Reddy, ). As it is almost

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not possible to eliminate stress form any kind of workplace whether it is insurance industry,
automobile industry, banking sector or any other industry. But there are some certain
strategies to reduce the stress effects for any organization. Above discussed strategies will
surely help in managing stress.
Conclusion
To decide the growth of any industry, its workforce efficiency plays a keen role. And the
workforce efficiency is directly proportional to the mental and physical health of the
employees (Kaur & Sharma, ). But stress in banking sector is unavoidable. Stress also creates
other health problems which need to be controlled for the betterment of employees’ well-
being and banks efficiency. Hence, stress management programs should be conducted and
implemented by banks on priority (Innocent, Ikechukwu and Nnagbogu, 2014). As, in
banking sector stress is mainly because of work pressure and work life imbalance,
organization should help and support them to balance family and work. Stress management
makes employees healthier and banks more efficient.

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Reference
Agarwal, M., 2018. Stress Management in Banking Sector: A Comparative Study of Selected
Public and Private Banks of India. [Online]
Available at: http://shodh.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/2553/1/synopsis.pdf
Anon., 2017. Workplace Stress Management Startegies for Business Managers. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bupahealthierworkplaces.com.au/employer/workplace-stress-
management-strategies/ [Accessed 16 08 2017].
Bajada, C. & Trayler, R., 2013. Interdisciplinary Business Education: Curriculam through
Collaboration. Education+ Training, 55(4/5), pp. 385-402.
Gopika, G., 2014. A Quantitative Analysis On The Correlation Between Industrial
Experience And Stress Level Changes In Banking Industry. International Journal of Advance
Research In Science And Engineering, 3(12), pp. 25-32.
Innocent, E. C., Ikechukwu, A. C. & Nnagbogu, E. K., 2014. Stress Management Techniques
in Banking Sectors in Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM),
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Kankaanranta, A. & Planken, B., 2010. BELF Competence as Business Knowledge of
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Kaur, M. R. & Sharma, M. P., 2016. Stress Management in the Banking Sector. Imperial
Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 2(3), pp. 113-117.
Michie, S., 2002. Cuses and Management of Stress at Work. Occupational and
Environmental Medicine, 59(1), pp. 67-72.

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Paranthaman, T., 2015. Stress Management Cometencies among Banking Sector Managerial
Employees in the Batticaloa District. International Symposium, pp. 44-51.
Reddy, M. K. & Reddy, V. S., 2016. Stress Management Practices in Banking Sector- A
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Shukla, H. & Garg, R., 2013. A Study on Stress Management among the Employees of
Nationalized Banks. Voice of Research, 2(3), pp. 72-75.
Singh, A. & Gupta, R. P., 2016. Stress Management of Banking Sector Employees.
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