Occupational stress and organisational commitment of employees at higher educational institution

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between occupational stress and organisational commitment of employees at a higher education institution. A random sample (N=30) was chosen from academic staff within the university. The study used a quantitative design. The Organisational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET) and Allen and Meyer’s Organisational Commitment Tool (OCT) were administered. The study revealed that a statistical significant relationship exists between occupational stress and organizational commitment of employees. The study also showed that academic staff overall experienced average levels of occupational stress and organisational commitment. Job characteristics and work relationship were found to be the major sources of occupation stress. It is recommended that higher education institutions should improve employee participation in decision making to reduce employees’ stress as a result of unmanageable workloads and overload.