Work Organization and Stress Management among Male and Female Employees in IMO State University, Owerri

The study examined the work organization and stress management among male and female employees in Imo State University, Owerri. The study seeks to find out the stress management strategies in IMSU and its impact on the attitude and behavior of male and female staff of IMSU. It also investigated the impact of the gender roles of male and female staff on work load, among employees. Relevant literatures and theories were reviewed and the study anchored its analysis on conservation of Resources (COR) Theory by Hobfoll. This is because this theory effectively explains gender issues that increase work load and effects stress management strategy in IMSU. The study adopted survey research design in which five schools were deliberately selected to represent the eight schools in the institution due to their homogeneity. Respondents from the various departments in the selected schools were randomly selected. However, a sample size of 527 were used to derive data for this study. Non-participant observation, questionnaire and key persons interview (KPI), text books, Journals and internet materials were used to derive data from secondary source while primary data collected were presented and analyzed using tables, simple percentages and Chi-square. The chi square statistical tool was used to test the four research hypotheses that were formulated by the researcher. Findings from this study revealed that male staff engage in recreational activities during vacation more than their female counter part. It also found out that, unlike their male counterpart, women are more burdened with domestic and family responsibilities and try to make up for their absence in the home during vacation. This act reflects on their attitudes and behavior to work as female staff suffers from fatigue more than their male counterpart. The study therefore recommended that IMSU should incorporate time management and social support scheme into its stress management strategies. Also, physiological therapies should be incorporated by management into the stress management scheme