Effect of type of stress

According to University of Florida researchers about the effects of different types of stress on employees challenge stressors had a direct positive impact by motivating workers. But researcher Nathan Podsakoff says hindrance stressors, like red tape and job insecurity, have a big negative impact on motivation and performance.

Podsakoff: “Challenge and hindranceStress have different effects on the attitudes of employees, their perceptions about the workplace, intentions to either stay or leave the workplace. And behaviors such as performance, job search, and turnover.”

More than ever, experts say companies must help employees balance the good stress and the bad.

Podsakoff: “If managers can recognize the types of stress the employees are experiencing, they might be better able to alleviate that stress, either through redesigning the job of the person, the employee, their subordinate, or by offering programs which help reduce the strains associated with challenge and hindrance stress.”