Investigating the impact of work stress on work engagement across selected industries during the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia
Abstract
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, many industries faced severe challenges and had to adapt business strategies to ensure their survival. A lot of business operations had to move to an online platform which stressed financial and human resources and interrupted normal operations. Service provision had to proceed as normal therefore causing widespread anxiety and distress. This study aimed to investigate the impact of work stress on work engagement across selected industries during the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia. Work stress, due to stressful work environments, leads to harmful physical and psychological consequences. Work engagement does not only benefit employees through higher job satisfaction but also the organisation through better performance and quality of work. A quantitative research approach was utilised- using a questionnaire collecting data on the biographical information, work stress and work engagement of employees. The sample consisted of n=431 teachers, Unam staff and medical staff from Namibia. Role ambiguity and work stress reported a positive relationship with work engagement. Stress management and wellness programs may be implemented to help employees manage work stressors and promote work engagement. Counselling services may address employee concerns regarding job insecurity and ease distress and anxiety. Organisations should implement a mentoring system to provide advice and support to employees in order to reduce work stress. Work engagement can be enhanced through leadership development activities for employees. This study adds to the knowledge on work stress and work engagement in the Namibian context
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