School of Psychology
(Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science)
Year 3 Assignment Cover Sheet
PSY360: Work Psychology
Student
Number:
19117
stress and fatigue
Assignment
leading to greater sickness absence at Postell
Title:
Assignment
Set by:
Personal
Tutor: Alecia Cousins
Deadline
Date:
Date
submitted
uploading to Turnitin, in the to
box ‘Submission Title’, enter only
ix digit student Turnitin:
number followed by the question number e.g.
NB: If you have a specific learning difficulty which has been registered with
the Disability Office, print “SPLD” clearly on your this cover sheet and on the
first page of your essay.
, Question 2
Introduction
In this report I will address whether the high levels of sickness absence and employee turnover at
Postell can be explained as being due to employees’ excessive strain and/or fatigue, and whether a
strategy to prevent and manage this will reduce this issue. Sickness absence involves non-
attendance to work due to poor health and wellbeing, as described by Claes (2013), while employee
turnover refers to the percentage of the total workforce leaving the organization over a set period
(Maxwell, 2021). Both sickness absence and employee turnover can occur because of workplace
stress and fatigue, as demonstrated by the Labour Force Survey, which estimated that stress
accounted for 51% of all work-related illnesses in 2021/22 (HSE, 2022).
Work-related stress is the harmful physical and emotional response occurring when
presented with job requirements not matched to a worker’s capabilities, resources and needs, which
can challenge their ability to cope (WHO, 2020). While pressure can keep workers motivated, when
this becomes excessive, it can lead to negative health outcomes and diminished performance, as
well as negative financial outcomes for the organization. Work-related fatigue involves the decline
in both mental and physical performance resulting from prolonged exertion, lack of sleep and a
disrupted body clock, due to excessive working times and poorly designed shift patterns (HSE,
n.d.), leading to ill-health and reduced productivity. Elevated fatigue and perceived stress have been
found to overlap, with fatigue potentially being a stress-related disorder triggered by long lasting
tension (Kocalevent et al., 2011).
Losing valuable employees through sickness absence and turnover is a significant
issue for Postell, which will have to be addressed to retain competitiveness and market share in the
postal industry. I will consider strategies to reduce work stress and fatigue, and in turn, reduce
absenteeism and turnover. Also considered is the efficacy of employee incentivization to reduce
absenteeism through reward/penalization strategies. My report will draw upon theory and research
evidence across the field to come to a reasonable conclusion regarding Postell’s next steps.
(Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science)
Year 3 Assignment Cover Sheet
PSY360: Work Psychology
Student
Number:
19117
stress and fatigue
Assignment
leading to greater sickness absence at Postell
Title:
Assignment
Set by:
Personal
Tutor: Alecia Cousins
Deadline
Date:
Date
submitted
uploading to Turnitin, in the to
box ‘Submission Title’, enter only
ix digit student Turnitin:
number followed by the question number e.g.
NB: If you have a specific learning difficulty which has been registered with
the Disability Office, print “SPLD” clearly on your this cover sheet and on the
first page of your essay.
, Question 2
Introduction
In this report I will address whether the high levels of sickness absence and employee turnover at
Postell can be explained as being due to employees’ excessive strain and/or fatigue, and whether a
strategy to prevent and manage this will reduce this issue. Sickness absence involves non-
attendance to work due to poor health and wellbeing, as described by Claes (2013), while employee
turnover refers to the percentage of the total workforce leaving the organization over a set period
(Maxwell, 2021). Both sickness absence and employee turnover can occur because of workplace
stress and fatigue, as demonstrated by the Labour Force Survey, which estimated that stress
accounted for 51% of all work-related illnesses in 2021/22 (HSE, 2022).
Work-related stress is the harmful physical and emotional response occurring when
presented with job requirements not matched to a worker’s capabilities, resources and needs, which
can challenge their ability to cope (WHO, 2020). While pressure can keep workers motivated, when
this becomes excessive, it can lead to negative health outcomes and diminished performance, as
well as negative financial outcomes for the organization. Work-related fatigue involves the decline
in both mental and physical performance resulting from prolonged exertion, lack of sleep and a
disrupted body clock, due to excessive working times and poorly designed shift patterns (HSE,
n.d.), leading to ill-health and reduced productivity. Elevated fatigue and perceived stress have been
found to overlap, with fatigue potentially being a stress-related disorder triggered by long lasting
tension (Kocalevent et al., 2011).
Losing valuable employees through sickness absence and turnover is a significant
issue for Postell, which will have to be addressed to retain competitiveness and market share in the
postal industry. I will consider strategies to reduce work stress and fatigue, and in turn, reduce
absenteeism and turnover. Also considered is the efficacy of employee incentivization to reduce
absenteeism through reward/penalization strategies. My report will draw upon theory and research
evidence across the field to come to a reasonable conclusion regarding Postell’s next steps.
