Occupational Stress in the Service Professions

Workers in the service industry face unique types of stressors and levels of stress appear to be worsening. Many workers and organisations now recognise work stress as a significant personal and organisational cost, and see the need to evaluate a range of organisational issues that present psychosocial hazards to workers. Occupational Stress in the Service Professions introduces the reader to contemporary theoretical and research issues. Readers are provided with a comprehensive international review of the main sources of stress in a range of professions including nurses, police, general practitioners, prostitutes, volunteers, academics, the clergy and teachers, and the implications for intervention. The range of contributions from researchers in Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and North America presents a broad international perspective, strongly illustrated with organisational case studies. This approach serves to explore the political and social nature of the work stress problem. The book concludes with a chapter on the implications for intervention, policy and the future. Graduate students, researchers and high level HR professionals will find this an invaluable work. Book jacket.