OB- Chapter 13, 15 stress

Types of conflict

Process conflict:
Disagreement about how to do the work.
Example: Disputes over who should complete certain tasks.

Constructive conflict:
Conflict that helps improve outcomes because benefits outweigh costs.
Example: Healthy debate leads to better project ideas.

Conflict stimulation

Deliberately increasing conflict to drive change.
Example: A manager encourages debate to rethink outdated procedur

Accommodating:

Cooperating with others but not pushing your own interests.
Example: Agreeing to a teammate’s plan even if you prefer another.

Competing

Being assertive and not cooperating to win.
Example: Insisting your idea is followed regardless of others’ views.

Distributive Negotiation

A win–lose situation where both parties compete over a fixed amount of resources.
Example: Two employees negotiating who gets the only parking spot

Integrative Negotiation

a win–win approach where both parties collaborate to expand the value or resources available.
Example: Two departments sharing a budget by pooling resources and co-hosting an event.

Superordinate Goals

Attractive outcomes that can only be achieved through collaboration between groups or individuals.

ex, Two departments with a history of conflict working together to launch a new product that benefits the entire company.

General stressors

Interpersonal conflict
– Work-family conflict
– Job insecurity and change
– Role ambiguity
– Sexual harassment

type A behaviour:

Personality marked by competitiveness, impatience, and aggression.

ex. manager who gets angry when meetings run over time.

Burnout:

A state of emotional exhaustion, negativity, and feeling ineffective at work.
ex, A nurse feeling drained, detached from patients, and doubting her abilities after months of long shifts.

Emotional exhaustion → Depersonalization → Low personal accomplishment

Job demands–resources model:

A theory that burnout arises from high job demands, while engagement comes from having strong job resources.
Example: A social worker may feel burned out from emotional strain (high demand), but support from coworkers (resource) boosts engagement.

Workplace ostracism

When someone is purposely ignored or excluded at work during normal social or work interactions.
Example: A team consistently leaves one member out of meetings or group chats.

Techno-stress

Stress caused by the pressure to learn or keep up with workplace technology.
ex. Feeling overwhelmed by constant software updates or digital tools at work.

Presenteeism

Going to work even when you’re sick and not feeling well.
Example: Coming to the office with a bad cold and being less productive.

Defence mechanisms

Mental strategies people use to lessen anxiety caused by stress.
Example: Ignoring problems to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Reactions to Stress

– Behavioural reactions (irritability or absenteeism))
– Psychological reactions (anxiety or depression)
– Physiological reactions (body symptoms like headaches or fatigue)

Reducing stress

• Redesigning jobs to be less stressful

• Providing social support at work

• Offering family-friendly HR policies

• Implementing stress management programs

• Promoting work-life balance initiatives

Stressors in Organizational Life

specific roles like executives/managers or operative-level employee, squished in the middle