Work-Related Stress: A Challenge for Organizations and Workers in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry

This study aimed to identify the effects of work-related stress on organizations and the productivity of workers in the petroleum industry of the Nigerian Niger Delta region. The study which was based on the conceptual framework of Person–Environment fit theory, identified stress as the consequence of a mismatch between workers’ needs and organizational environment. The study adopted a multiple case study design to enhance triangulation of data from several sources. The population of study was supervisors in the petroleum industry of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The sample size was determined based on the context and the study population. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample six supervisors from three companies to participate in the study. To ensure that the data collected was rich, the study focused on selecting supervisors that recognized the impact of work-related stress and had successfully implemented strategies to mitigate the impacts. The instruments for data collection were semi- structured interview, workplace observations and document review. The findings from the study indicated that work-related stress makes workers susceptible to workplace incidents and creates occupational health challenges such as reduced efficiency, impaired judgement, fatigue, psychological disorders and poor decision-making. The implication is that work-related stress is an unsafe condition with potentials for health and safety incidents in the petroleum industry. Based on the findings, the study concluded that work-related stress is a challenge in the petroleum industry and adversely impacts workers’ health and productivity, thereby reducing organizational profitability. The study recommended identification and implementation of appropriate strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of work stress in the petroleum sector.