Manager Stress

Manager Stress

by: Sunshine - 31-08-12 14:21

Hi

I'm doing research for my leadership degree and have chosen to look at the stress early years leaders and managers are under. I can find very little written on the subject, but I know it's real as everyone of my classmates who is a manager feels stressed by their role!

Does anyone know of any studies that may already have been done? Or...are you a manager who would be happy to comment on your role and if you find it stressful?

Any comments or pointers would be much appreciated.

Thanks

by: whmon

Is it stress though? - or is it just 'being busy'?

by: playpal

Too much work in too little time = stress

by: whmon

I do think that a lot of people do not understand the meaning of the word 'stress'. Too much work in too little time = 'busy' in my book. Those who have been through stressful experiences, e.g bereavement, divorce, debilitating health issues, property repossesion, etc will understand that being busy at work does not equate with stress.

by: Sunshine

I think stress can be measured by raised cortisol and that is variable depending on the person, Its all relative, but many nursery managers say they have sleepless nights worryng about different aspects of their work. Maybe people who set themselves high standards find the lack of time to complete all their work to a high standard stressful. All my respndants work extra hours unpaid every week.

by: playpal

I agree with you, Sunshine. When you are waking up in the middle of the night worrying about how you will fit everything in and getting up to send emails etc at 3am then too much work in too little time does= stress. In my case it made me ill. I think that perhaps this is more of a problem for staff who work part-time but are often expected to produce 'full time' results.

I would be happy to answer questions more fully on a private email address but won't be available for the next few weeks due to house move and holiday. Will that be too late for you?

by: Katsie

Hiya,

I dont know if any research but I'd be happy to take part! I'd be really interested in your findings too. 

by: Janet

Hi Sunshine

You have got me thinking. I have just changed my job from a level 4 UK room supervisor with 2 year olds to a southern European school classroom assistant with 3 year olds. The difference is amasing and even though I work for twice as many hours I come home so relaxed and unstressed.

The main differences are NO paperwork done at home and only a small amount done at work. Also the teacher and I are trusted to make descissions and do what we feel is best for the children.

I googled this and found one report, which you may have alreary seen that puts education high in relation to stress.

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/ewco/reports/TN0502TR01/TN0502TR01.pdf

Enjoy your research

xx