Stress is defined as a nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it which results in symptoms such as rise in the blood pressure, release of hormones, quickness of breathe, tightening of muscles, perspiration, and increased cardiac activity. Stress is not necessarily negative. Some stress keeps us motivated and alert, while to little stress can create problems. However, too much stress can trigger problems with mental and physical health, particularly over a prolonged period of time. Job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.
Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury.
Long - term exposure to job stress has been linked to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, depression, and job burnout, and may contribute to a range of debilitating diseases, ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Stressful working conditions also may interfere with an employee's ability to work safely, contributing to work injuries and illnesses. In the workplace of the 1990s, the most highly ranked and frequently reported organisational stressors are potential job loss, technological innovation, change, and ineffective top management. At the work unit level, work overload, poor supervision, and inadequate training are the top-ranking stressors. 12 T he design of tasks .