A Multi-Method Approach Towards Identification of Key Occupational Stressors Among Women Employees working in Manufacturing Firms.

Abstract

Occupational stress is increasingly recognised as a major factor contributing to employee dissatisfaction and organisational inefficiency. This study investigates the disruptive work environment and multifaceted causes, ranging from work overload, overtime, role disputes, to work and family life mismanagement. The study incorporated a multi-method approach, which consisted of three stages. Qualitative study through in-depth interview in the first stage, Focus group discussion in the second stage and quantitative study through survey method conducted on 477 women employees of manufacturing firms in India in the third stage.  The multi-method approach identified fifty predictors of occupational stress, out of which 34 factors were retained by the exploratory factor analysis as the most important factors of stress among women employees. These overlooked factors can be helpful to reduce and control stress by formulating targeted strategies and also by ensure inclusive workplace policies in the context of manufacturing sectors.