Impact of Job Related Stress on Employee Performance: A Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

Impact of occupational stress on employee performance has been recognized as an important area of concern for organizations. Negative stress affects the physical and mental health of the employees that in turn affects their performance on job. Research into the relationship between stress and job performance has been neglected in the occupational stress literature (Jex, 1998). It is therefore significant to understand different Occupational Stress Inducers (OSI) on one hand and their impact on different aspects of job performance on the other. This article reviews the available literature to understand the phenomenon so as to develop appropriate stress management strategies to not only save the employees from variety of health problems but to improve their performance and the performance of the organization. 35 Occupational Stress Inducers (OSI) were identified through a comprehensive review of articles and reports published in the literature of management and allied disciplines between 1990 and 2014. A conceptual model is proposed towards the end to study the impact of stress on employee job performance. The possible data analysis techniques are also suggested providing direction for future research.