University Research Proposal: Work Stress Impact on Work-Life Balance

This research proposal explores the significant impact of workplace stress on the work-life balance of employees, focusing on Medibank as a case study. The study aims to identify the reasons behind workplace stress, its effects on employee health, and strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It reviews relevant literature on stress management, job satisfaction, and the challenges faced by employees in maintaining equilibrium. The methodology involves exploratory research using structured interviews and open-ended questionnaires with senior employees to gather primary data. Data analysis will employ qualitative methods to identify patterns and themes. The proposal addresses ethical considerations and outlines a detailed time schedule for the research. The study's findings are expected to provide recommendations for reducing workplace stress and improving employee well-being, addressing a critical issue in the insurance sector and beyond.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Proposal
Impact of Work Stress on Work-life Balance of Employees
Student’s name:
Name of the University:
Author’s note:

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
2. Background of the study..............................................................................................................2
Overview of the chosen organisation..........................................................................................3
3. Research Objectives.....................................................................................................................3
4. Research Scope............................................................................................................................3
5. Literature Review........................................................................................................................4
5.1 Reasons behind work stress of the employees.......................................................................4
5.2 The methods of managing stress of the employees...............................................................4
5.3 The impact of work stress on work-life balance of employees.............................................5
5.4 The ways to maintain work-life balance................................................................................5
5.5 Gap in literature.....................................................................................................................6
6. Problem statement.......................................................................................................................6
7. Research Questions......................................................................................................................7
8. Research Design and Methodology.............................................................................................7
8.1 Exploratory research design..................................................................................................7
8.3 Data collection methods and instruments..............................................................................8
8.3 Sampling method...................................................................................................................8
8.4 Data analysis techniques........................................................................................................8

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8.5 Ethical consideration.............................................................................................................9
9. Time Schedule.............................................................................................................................9
10. Conclusion...............................................................................................................................10
Reference List................................................................................................................................11
Appendix........................................................................................................................................13

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1. Introduction
This study focuses mainly on the workplace stress and its impact on the employees'
work-life balance. The vital consideration in this study is job satisfaction of the employees that
provide mental peace to the employees. The aim of the study is to identify the impact of
workplace stress on employees' work-life balance. Work-life balance of the employees is always
being overlooked by the organisation. In this study, theoretical perspectives of workplace stress
and work-life balance will be reviewed. In order to conduct the study, a problem statement will
be given. A methodology of data collection and data analysis will be delivered with the timeline.
2. Background of the study
Workplace stress is getting high among the employees at all levels. Stress is increasing
for workload, weak management and lack of job security. Employees' job satisfaction and
motivation play important role in lessening employees' work stress. As stated by Anthony-
McMann et al. (2017), the employees face the issue in marinating work-life balance as the
pressure of workplace haunts them always. In stress, employees can find their peace of mind
with the family and establish boundaries in social world can sometimes provide peace.
Moreover, the technique of exercise, deep breathing, positive thinking and mindfulness can melt
stress. The workplace culture and communication flow within the workplace have relation to the
workplace stress and compatibility (Schiraldi 2016). In maintaining the work-life balance, stress
management is important as it involves in recognising stressful situation.

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Overview of the chosen organisation
Medibank Private Limited is a health insurer and this organisation is based in Australia.
Medibank is Australia's largest health insurer and it has a customer base of 3.9 million
(Medibank.com.au 2017). Medibank has its headquarter in Melbourne. Medibank provides the
services of health insurance, travel insurance, life insurance and workplace health insurance. It
has more than 2700 active employees and the revenue of the organisation was 7 billion AUD in
the year 2016.
3. Research Objectives
Research objectives are:
 To identify the reasons behind the workplace stress
 To explore the effect of workplace stress on employees’ work-life balance
 To highlight the impact of workplace stress on employees’ health
 To provide some possible recommendations to the employees’ in reducing the workplace
stress and managing work-life balance
4. Research Scope
This study will cover the causes and management of stress of the employees and the
impact of stress on employees’ work-life balance. This study will highlight the effect of stress on
employees’ health and the process of reducing the stress of the employees. In the insurance
sector, the stress among the employees is high; this study will try to cover the employees’ stress
that creates an impact on employees' life.

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5. Literature Review
5.1 Reasons behind work stress of the employees
Workplace stress is the emotional response when there is pressure in the workplace or
conflict happens in the workplace and it can be harmful to the employees. As supported by
Gursoy et al. (2013), sometimes there is a huge job demand in the workplace, the employees
may not be able to meet the demands and this process can lead to workplace stress. In some
cases, employees face the workplace harassment and bully that can lead to the workplace stress
in adapting within the workplace. In some of the workplace, especially in vertical organisation
structure, blame culture of employees leads to the workplace stress. As stated by Mackey et al.
(2017), weak or ineffective management makes the employees feel that the organisation does not
have any sense of direction. Low salaries of the employees can give stress. Moreover, the sudden
significant changes in the workplace can make stress the employees as well.
5.2 The methods of managing stress of the employees
In the workplace, the employees need to track the stress givers and identifying the stress
giving situation helps to respond to them. Employees can record the thought and they can talk to
the management about the stress (Johnstone & Feeney 2015). Employees can avoid the
environment in which they feel pressure and take notes of the stress helps to fight back with the
workplace pressure. Moreover, in developing healthy responses of the stress gives the employees
chances to feel less pressure. Instead of taking alcohol, fast food or smokes, the employees must
take help of proper diet, healthy eating habits and meditation. When the employees feel that their
tension rises, they should opt for the music, yoga or a sudden break from work-life. As opined by
Folkman (2013), employees can pursue their habits and do what is giving pleasure always
pacifies the stress. In some large organisations, there is Employees Assistance Programme;

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employees can take help in case of stress. In Person-Environment Fit Model, as suggested by
Seiffge-Krenke (2013), the match between work environment and person is the key factor of the
health. Employees' attitude, healthy condition, skills and knowledge are some of the factors of
being happy in a workplace.
5.3 The impact of work stress on work-life balance of employees
In the competitive environment, work-life balance is important and stress is part of the
life. If there is no job satisfaction, the employees would feel stress and there will be no regularity
in life. In some of the organisations, employees have to work from their homes also and they
have to take calls for 24 hours. According to Issacs (2016), work Stress is considered as a
noteworthy test to labourer's wellbeing and the soundness of the association everywhere
throughout the world. Stress influences diverse individuals in various ways. It can cause
uncommon and useless conduct at work and add to poor physical and psychological wellness.
Stress is a mix of physical and mental responses to occasions that test or undermine employees.
In ordinary conditions, the anxiety reaction is a capable defensive system that enables us to
manage sudden changes, threats or prompt requests. Stress for an employee can come from
behavioural, physical, emotional and mental (Jones et al. 2013). Different occasions which make
push incorporates over working hours, struggle with colleagues or managers, a risk to
employment and steady changes of work.
5.4 The ways to maintain work-life balance
In the workplace, employees must have job satisfaction and this satisfaction can lead to
the good work-life balance. Stress should be avoided from the workplace and employees must
play with the strengths as it is not possible for the employees to be all things to people.
Moreover, prioritising the time in the workplace can bring harmony in workplace job roles.

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Employees can differentiate the works under the headings of ‘urgent’, ‘important’ or they can
make ‘to do’ list. The employees should keep some personal time for themselves apart from the
workplace pressure, in this regard; they can spend time with their family and friends (Halpern &
Murphy 2013). Setting flexible working hours can lead to managing the time effectively and
work-life balance can be maintained.
5.5 Gap in literature
An organisation must find a way to guarantee the wellbeing and security of their workers.
They can actualise a portion of the working environment push administration systems that
incorporates an organization must guarantee a sheltered working spot for every one of their
representatives and give them appropriate preparing. Employees in an organisational structure
cannot express their thoughts and they feel excessive stress to manage their workloads. Most of
the literature expressed their thoughts about the managing the workplace stress, however, the
work-life balance remains overlooked. Work-life balance of employees should be gauge in long-
term basis as making workplace friendlier and lively is needed for employees.
6. Problem statement
Work-related stress mainly comes from the demands of their jobs and Medibank
employees have to handle lots of clients’ demands as they are in insurance sector. Their work is
directed relation to the clients and it is hardly comfortable to manage. Employees of Medibank
have to work for more than nine hours during office hours as their work-pressure is high and
they have to deal with angry clients. Leave benefit is less in Medibank and their maximum job is
related to phone calls. Handling external clients and constant change of the clients' demands
make the work-life stress. Moreover, maximum employees have a monthly target and are not

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fulfilling the target for the employees’ leads to the workplace stress. Employees have to attend
calls and make emails to the clients and it does not let them to have happy family life as well.
Most of the employees feel fatigue, headache, muscular tension and heart palpitation in
managing the tension. 85% of Medibank employees’ experiences stress that result lack of work-
life balance (Medibank.com.au 2017). Management tries to lessen the pressure by reducing the
depression and anxiety by starting rewards and changing the workplace culture.
7. Research Questions
Primary Question
What is the impact of work stress on employees’ work-life balance?
Secondary Questions
 What are the reasons behind works stress of the employees in Medibank?
 What are the impacts of stress on employees’ health in Medibank?
 How can the work-life balance be maintained by the employees?
 What are the measures that the Medibank management takes in order to reduce the
workplace stress?
8. Research Design and Methodology
8.1 Exploratory research design
In this research, the researcher will conduct exploratory research. According to Mackey
& Gass (2015), exploratory research is conducted for certain studies that have not been explained
clearly. Exploratory research helps to collect the data and it helps to have a definitive conclusion.

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In this research study, exploratory research will be helpful to the relationship between workplace
stress and work-life balance still not established clearly. Exploratory research often relies on
qualitative research.
8.3 Data collection methods and instruments
In this study, the researcher will collect primary data from the participants of the
research. In order to conduct the research, the researcher will do structured interviews. In
addition, the researcher will prepare a set of 8 open-ended questionnaires about the workplace
stress and work-life balance of the employees. Data collection method will be interviewed that
would be conducted through Skype. Data collection instruments will be an open-ended
descriptive questionnaire.
8.3 Sampling method
The sample population of this study is considered to be senior employees of Medibank.
Sample size will be 5. It will be difficult to conduct structured interviews with the senior
employees of Medibank; therefore, the small sample size will be appropriate. The researcher will
take non-probability sampling technique. Non-probability sampling helps the researchers where
the samples are collected in a process that does not give all the persons in the population equal
chances of being selected (Smith 2015). The researcher will collect the information about senior
employees of Medibank through social media and employees will be aware of the interviews.
8.4 Data analysis techniques
The collected data through interviews will be analysed by qualitative data analysis
method. Interview data are mainly descriptive data and reviewing the data since the beginning is
very important. In qualitative data analysis, the researcher will mentally process the patterns or

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themes that would be exhibited. The qualitative analysis draws out patterns from insights and
concepts (Taylor et al. 2015).
8.5 Ethical consideration
The researcher will follow all the ethical norms and the interviewees' names will not be
published. In addition, Privacy Act 2014 will be followed in collecting the data. Any kind of
coercion or transaction money will not be done during the research.
9. Time Schedule
Activities Week 1 Week 3 Week 5 Week 7 Week
10
Week
12
Week
16
Selection of
research topic
✓
Reviewing of
literature
✓
Selection of
methodology
✓
Data collection
through
interviews
✓
Data analysis ✓
Drawing
conclusion and
recommendations
✓

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Final submission ✓
Table 1: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by author)
10. Conclusion
Excessively workloads with deadlines pressure can make people feel pressurised and
unrealistic expectation from the management of Medibank can lead to the stress as well.
Medibank may not have sufficient workloads, in this situation; the employees may feel that their
skills are not being used. In some of the workplace, there is lack of interpersonal communication
among the employees and employee feels lack of isolation. Employees’ work-life balance in
Medibank is needed to come under surveillance as employees’ retention is getting worse. This
research would bring out the significance of work-life balance amidst workplace tress.