Exam 14: Responding to Personal and Work-Related Stress

Case 14.1 ​ XYZ Corporation is undergoing a merger with a larger company.This merger will bring XYZ into the twenty-first century technologically but will also bring about a number of other changes.As XYZ is the acquired company,about one-third of its work force will be laid off.The reasons for the layoff have been clearly explained,and Virginia,the respected president of XYZ,is implementing the layoff in the best interests of the company,even though it is very painful for her.A number of the best employees and managers started looking for new jobs before XYZ announced who would be laid off and who would stay.Most employees are putting in long hours,and the company exercise room is full as managers and employees try to burn off their fears and frustrations with these changes. ​ Virginia is really excited about these changes and about the positive outcomes for the future of the company and its employees.Virginia has handled things well but is under a lot of pressure.She obsesses about being organized.She carries her pager into the restroom with her and is constantly talking on her smartphone.She likes to have her computer terminal on whenever she's in the office,just in case she needs it,and is very uncomfortable when she has to travel without her laptop computer with its portable Wi-Fi hot spot. ​ John was promoted from first-line supervisor to VP of operations because all of the other managers found new jobs when the merger was announced.He didn't want the job,but he had to take it to stay at XYZ.He's had to give up daily interaction with his production line people and begin performing tasks for which he has little preparation or experience and that he doesn't particularly care for,such as attending lots of meetings.He's bearing up well and so far has been able to handle the increased responsibilities. -Refer to Case 14.1.The primary cause of stress for most of the employees of XYZ would most likely be​

Case 14.1 ​ XYZ Corporation is undergoing a merger with a larger company.This merger will bring XYZ into the twenty-first century technologically but will also bring about a number of other changes.As XYZ is the acquired company,about one-third of its work force will be laid off.The reasons for the layoff have been clearly explained,and Virginia,the respected president of XYZ,is implementing the layoff in the best interests of the company,even though it is very painful for her.A number of the best employees and managers started looking for new jobs before XYZ announced who would be laid off and who would stay.Most employees are putting in long hours,and the company exercise room is full as managers and employees try to burn off their fears and frustrations with these changes. ​ Virginia is really excited about these changes and about the positive outcomes for the future of the company and its employees.Virginia has handled things well but is under a lot of pressure.She obsesses about being organized.She carries her pager into the restroom with her and is constantly talking on her smartphone.She likes to have her computer terminal on whenever she's in the office,just in case she needs it,and is very uncomfortable when she has to travel without her laptop computer with its portable Wi-Fi hot spot. ​ John was promoted from first-line supervisor to VP of operations because all of the other managers found new jobs when the merger was announced.He didn't want the job,but he had to take it to stay at XYZ.He's had to give up daily interaction with his production line people and begin performing tasks for which he has little preparation or experience and that he doesn't particularly care for,such as attending lots of meetings.He's bearing up well and so far has been able to handle the increased responsibilities. -Refer to Case 14.1.Given the various stressors related to this change for XYZ,what would be the most effective stress management strategy for Virginia and John and the other employees that they aren't already using?​

Sleep is an effective stress management technique​

Which of the following is not true about exercise?​

Steve has had trouble sleeping lately and feels fatigued.Making sound decisions is nearly impossible due to his poor memory and concentration.He is exhibiting physical and emotional symptoms of stress.

It is easy to blame stress on a particular person or event.However,a great deal of stress is caused by​

The lease on Alexia's apartment will come up for renewal in 3 months.Her apartment complex was recently bought out by a new property management firm,and Alexia has heard rumors that these new owners will raise all tenants' rents substantially.She is very worried that she will not be able to afford the increased rent and will be evicted or have to go without enough food or her medications.Alexia's friend Beth says she should try to "regain or let go of control" in this situation.What does that mean?

Work environment stressors can be lessened by putting up family pictures or adding a plant or objects that put you in a good mood.

Guillermo feels compelled to alternate between e-mailing,updating his Twitter status,and using his smartphone to conduct work.He often feels an adrenaline rush and his muscles tense when he is notified of incoming messages or calls.Concentration feels more difficult than in the past.Guillermo's stress is likely a result of

What is stress,and where does it come from?​

There are several physical symptoms that appear to tell you that you are experiencing too much stress.One of them is tension or migraine _______________.

While exercise can help reduce the effects of stress,it does nothing to increase a person's ability to handle stress.

Companies use ____ as a resource for employees dealing with personal problems,substance abuse,and psychological disorders in order to keep minor problems from becoming major ones.

An effective technique for avoiding burnout is to be realistic about how much work you can complete each day and decline optional projects that would make your workload unmanageable.

Moves,marriages,divorces,and job changes are all examples of ____________________,experiences of being forced to give up something that could be potentially stressful for an individual.

____ is often required for the unconscious to process thoughts and events.

An individual's response to significant stress:​

Forgetfulness,moodiness,and reduced interest in personal or professional relationships are all signs of too much stress in a person's life.

Wei is trying to complete her project by the deadline.At her desk,she hears the muffled but persistent noises of jackhammering on the street.Inside,her smartphone ringtone loudly pierces her concentration.The ringtone is likely to be more stressful to Wei than the jackhammering.

Ruminating over personal and work-related problems