Workplace stress affects the performance and general health of the company and based on the interview

Procedure:

Choose one topic that you are interested in
Do the relevant reading around the topic
Identify an interesting theoretical perspective or point of view
Formulate some relevant questions or hypotheses
Conduct at least one half hour interview with a relevant person, focusing on the issues of interest.

This interview is to be confidential and anonymous and the name of the interviewee is to be changed when a summary is presented in the appendix of the report and referred to in the body of the report.
Present the results and discussion in an integrated and coherent fashion following the Guidelines to Writing a Report
Discuss the limitations of the study (and case studies in general), come to some conclusions and point the way for future research.

IMPORTANT:

Remember, it is impossible to generalize from a case study. Consequently, although a single case study can provide evidence in support of a theory, it cannot confirm the theory. On the other hand, it can be a useful tool for disconfirming theories. If our observations and results do not support a particular theoretical position, think about some possible reasons for the discrepancy.

The approach you choose to take is entirely up to you. The important points to remember are :
Select some kind of theoretical approach or perspective to guide your enquiry and to keep you focused. Don’t try to cover too many theories or approaches “ keep it simple and well structured.

Draw up an interview schedule (list of questions you want to ask) and include in the appendix. Be prepared to go beyond your listed questions if your subject has plenty to say, but use your list to remind you of those essential questions which you’ll need to ask if your report is to make sense.

The referencing style is the APA.

The topic for the report I choose was Stress in the Workplace . The hypothesis was to show how stress in the workplace can affect our productivity and the general health of the company.

This is the interview I conducted..

Nick Hunt who is a National engineering and Contract manager.

Workplace stress affects the performance and general health of the company.

1.What is the position you hold in the company you work in?

National Engineering and Contracts Manager

2. Are you satisfied with the management style of your superior?

Yes. Always available for discussion.

3. Are you clear and know what is expected of you in your job?

Yes. Very clear.

4. How does your mood change from the moment you arrive at work and when you leave?

Hopefully, if I have had a good day, I leave feeling productive and satisfied.

5. How would you rate your position stress wise?

Very highly stressed.

6. What would you say is the most stressful part of your job?

Meeting accumulative deadlines (customer driven) and having staff beneath me carry out their job expectations in a timely manner.

7. What would you say is the difference between pressure and stress at work?

Pressure is when several major tasks arise at the same time. Stress is when I, or the people beneath me, have difficulty getting each of them completed successfully in the time frame available.

8. How do you feel stress impacts on your productivity at work?

I feel I work better in a high stress environment. It doesn t impact me adversely.

9. When there are changes made in the company or your position changes do you feel you get enough training and support so that you are confidant?

Yes.

10. How do you get on with the people you work with ? How would you best describe your relationship with them?

Very well. My superiors as well as my subordinates operate as a team. Remuneration at every level is based on our combined success. It is very much a family relationship.

11. When there is a dispute or you are just feeling overwhelmed is there someone you could talk to about your feelings?

Yes. Our company has an Open Door policy. Key personnel at every level are available for sharing difficulties or for discussion on better ways to operate and achieve goals.

12. How do you find the balance between work and home?

Reasonably good. We have all learned not to take our problems home with us. At times travel interferes with continuity of home life, but subsequent managed breaks away from work can usually make up for it.

13. Do you feel appreciated in your position and rewarded when deserved?

Yes. All salary structures are based on sharing success between company and employees.
Bonus payments on top of negotiated salary are pre-structured according to an individual s role and responsibility, and are paid monthly.

14. Do you feel or can make any recommendation for improving the conditions you have at work?

I have been an integral part of setting up how our company should be run, and how personnel should be rewarded. I believe it to be an ideal model as to how a successful, private company should be operated.

Notes: The interviewed person is a long term, 32 year, employee of one of Australia s largest bearing companies with over 300 staff. With acquisitions along the way, it now totals over 1000 staff. It s success has largely been attributed to incentive based work agreements, with bonus payments on top of weekly salary being structured according to role within the company. Personnel from Cleaners to Marketing Managers are rewarded in proportion to the manner in which they carry out their job.
Workplace stress is addressed and minimised by the upper management having an open door policy with availability to share and address problems with individuals as they arise, rather than allowing stress and anxiety to affect performance, regardless of their role or level within the company.