Workplace stress experienced by quantity surveyors

Abstract

English: This article reports on the relationship between workplace stress of quantity surveyors and job demand, control and support factors. Using an online quantitative survey, the perceptions of workplace stress of professional quantity surveyors in South Africa is sought. Particular focus is given to differences in gender, age and ethnicity. Job demand issues explored include working to tight deadlines, working long hours, the work/family balance, and a perceived need to work harder to ‘prove oneself’. Job control factors include control over the type of work assigned, the pace of work, the work environment, and the match between authority and responsibility. Job support factors include assistance and support received from line managers and colleagues. Organisational stressors, in the form of job prospects and the general work environment, are also examined. Findings show that the majority of the respondents experience high levels of stress at work, with females reporting higher levels than males. Younger, more than older colleagues, experience workplace stress, although this may be explained by conditioning over time. The extent to which these professionals are able to control their job situations does not appear to have a major influence on stress. Tight deadlines, long working hours, and a work/family imbalance may play a bigger role. Respondents would appreciate having more time to do a better job. Employees generally do not expect managers and colleagues to consistently make their work easier, but they do believe that colleagues can be relied upon in times of difficulty. Professional and employer organisations should pay closer attention to the issues concerning workplace stress and implement appropriate policies and measures to counter it. Further research will be undertaken to explore in more detail the relationships between stress and the type of work undertaken.

Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel doen verslag oor die verband tussen bourekenaars se beroepspanning en werkuitdagings, beheer en ondersteuningsfaktore. ‘n Aanlyn kwantitatiewe opname word gedoen en die siening van werksplekspanning onder professionele bourekenaars in Suid-Afrika word nagevors. Daar is in besonder gefokus op verskille in geslag, ouderdom, en etnisiteit. Teikendatums, lang werksure en die wanbalans tussen werk en familie asook die behoefte om harder te werk om ‘jouself te bewys’ is van die beroepseise wat ingesluit is. Beheer oor die tipe werk wat gedoen word, die werkspas, die werksomgewing en die toets tussen gesag en verantwoordelikheid is werksbeheerfaktore wat ingesluit is. Werkondersteuningsfaktore sluit in hulp en ondersteuning van bestuurders en kollegas. Organisasiestressors in die vorm van werksvooruitsigte en die werksomgewing word ook getoets. Resultate toon dat die meeste deelnemers hoë vlakke van spanning by die werk ondervind en dat die vroulike geslag se spanningsvlakke hoër is as dié van die manlike geslag. Jong mense beleef meer spanning as hul ouer kollegas, wat meer beheer het as gevolg van jare se ondervinding. Die mate waartoe hierdie professionele werkers hul werksituasies kan beheer, beïnvloed waarskynlik nie hul werkspanning nie. Teikendatums, lang werksure en die wanbalans tussen werk en familie speel moontlik ‘n groter rol. Deelnemers dui aan dat hulle dit sal waardeer indien daar meer tyd toegelaat kan word sodat hulle werk van ‘n beter gehalte kan doen en, alhoewel hulle nie van hul bestuurders en kollegas verwag om hul werk deurentyd makliker te maak nie, glo hulle tog dat hulle op hul kollegas kan staatmaak in moeilike omstandighede. Professionele en werkgewersorganisasies behoort meer aandag te gee aan probleme wat te doen het met werkplekspanning en behoort ‘n toepaslike beleid in werking te stel en toe te pas om werkspanning te verminder. Verdere navorsing sal gedoen word om die verband tussen spanning en die tipe werk wat gedoen word, vas te stel.