An evaluation of the effect of job stress on workers performance: case study of Kenneth Kaunda international airport, Lusaka.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of job stress on employee performance in the Ground Handling section at KKIA. The study sampled 50 customers and collected data using questionnaires. A descriptive survey design was used in the study. Quantitative data collected was coded and fed into a computer statistical software SPSS to run the analyses. Descriptive data analysis entailed counts, percentages, cross-tabulations, and measures of central tendencies. Correlation analysis was used to check the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Qualitative data from the research schedule entailed the use of thematic analysis techniques. The results were interpreted and data were presented in tables for uniformity and ease of interpretation. The study found that the majority of respondents in the study thought their physical environment at the ground handling section of the KKIA was poor. Furthermore, the majority of respondents at the ground handling section of the KKIA said there often was the availability of job stress factors in their work section. Additionally, when discussing the self-assessed job performance of the respondents, the study found that the direct stress factors at the ground handling section of the KKIA affected employee performance negatively. The results of the correlation and regression results showed that there was a negative relationship between Job Stress and Employee Performance at KKIA. The study concluded that, there had been many stress factors that the employees at KKIA endured, and enquiry proved that the effect of stress affected performance negatively. The fact that the majority of the employees thought of leaving their job and felt that the organization did not care about them was a reflection of huge dissatisfaction that undoubtedly lowered performance. Symptoms of work stress included a drop in work performance, depression, anxiety and sleeping difficulties. Therefore, it suggested that employers recognize work-related stress as a significant health and safety issue; and recommended that every company take steps to ensure that employees are not subjected to unnecessary stress.