Effect of Occupational Stress on Employee’s Performance at the Forestry Commission in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study purposively explored the effects of occupational stress on employees’ performance. Three research questions and a research hypothesis guided this study. This research employed a descriptive survey along with a quantitative approach where questionnaires were used to collect the data. The current study was surveyed on the Forestry Commission in the Central Region of Ghana with a sample size of 117 staff members who were randomly chosen. This study found that occupational or work-related stressors statistically have significant negative effects on employee’s performance in the Commission. As a result, there are many constraints on employees’ performance due to occupational stress at workplace. Respondents ascribed occupational stress to turnover and increased absence, lower work quantity and quality, reduced job happiness, result to poor communication and among others. However, the study found that the provision of counselling services, building stress management techniques to reduce vulnerability, providing medical assistance, and granting flexible work schedules and leave days among others can reduce the issue of occupational stress. It is recommended that policymakers and management should put strategic recommendations in place to minimise negative workplace stress at the Commission to improve staff performance levels which could expand both financial and non-financial support services.