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 Covid19 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.