Assessing the Impact of Stress on the Health and Job Performance of Employees in Indian Banks

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the impact of stress on the well-being and performance at work of the individuals employed at Indian public and private sector banks in the selected districts of Haryana and explored whether the effects of stress between these two sectors are significant.
Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered from 300 bank employees, with 150 each from selected public and private sector banks. A pre-validated structured questionnaire using a Likert scale was employed to measure stress-related health issues and job performance. Statistical analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and to ensure the validity of the study’s findings, an independent sample t-test was employed.
Findings: The research reveals that employees in both sectors experience stress-related health issues, including headaches, back pain, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. However, employees in public sector banks reported higher levels of back pain, fatigue and anxiety in comparison to those in private sector banks. While the impact on job performance on all the employees is reduced job satisfaction, decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. Notably, employees in public sector banks reported a higher likelihood of decreased productivity and premature retirement plans due to stress.
Practical implications: Elevated levels of stress have the potential to exert adverse consequences on the productivity and performance of employees. By acknowledging stress as a plausible determinant affecting performance, banks can prioritize the establishment of a work environment that fosters productivity and efficiency, potentially resulting in enhanced employees’ performance.
Originality/value: The research conducted is original and based on empirical data and contributes to the understanding of how stress affects bank employees in a specific regional context, shedding light on differences between public and private sector banks.