Exploratory Study on Occupational Stress in It / It Support Personnel – A Human Resource Perspective

Occupational stress is a term generally used to define ongoing stress that is related to the workplace. The stress may have to do with the responsibilities associated with the work itself, or may be caused by conditions that are based in the corporate culture or personality conflicts. Occupational Stress is also referred as Job Stress or Work Stress. Occupational stress among IT / IT Support personnel is measured in terms of its manifestations, namely, Health Disorders (physical and psychological such as diabetes, nervous breakdown, sleeplessness, depression), Lifestyle Disorders (late night partying, investment in gadgets, garments and accessories for making life style statement, risky investments in assets such as vehicles or property beyond ones purchasing power), and Behavioral Strains (increased smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse). Stress among IT and IT support professionals have been attributed to a number of factors or Stressors. From the literature reviewed we see that the factors (independent variables) that contribute towards stress (dependent variable) include ‘macro’ and ‘micro’ level factors. While the macro level factors relate to the wider social, economic and political influences, the micro level factors are ‘Organizational variables ’ or ‘Organizationally Valued Variables,’ ‘Personally Valued Variables,’ ‘Demographic variables,’ and ‘Socio-Cultural Variables.’ This study aims to evolve a conceptual framework for studying occupational stress and its causes among employees in IT/IT support Industries in Chennai city. Also a Research instrument for measuring occupational stress is attempted with the help of Factor analysis.