IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 16, Issue 5. Ver. II (May. 2014), PP 115-125 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 115 | Page Occupational Stress - A Study With Reference To Selected Bank Employees in Chennai Region 1 S Uma Mageswari, 2 Dr N R V Prabhu 1 Research Scholar,Sathyabama University Jeppiar Nagar,Chennai – 600 119 Tamil Nadu,India 2 Director AGNI Institute of Technology Old Mahabalipuram Road Thalambur Chennai - 600 130 Tamil Nadu, India Abstract: Stress Management is drawing more and more attention nowadays, particularly in the corporate context. There is no such thing as a stress- free job. Everyone in his work is exposed to tension, frustration and anxiety as he gets through the duties assigned to him. In the interest of the individual customer, business world and the Government., Banks and Bank employees are playing a very important role for developing the Indian Economy. It is generally believed by the common man that employees of Banks may not experience stressors in their jobs when compared to other occupations. To test the validity of this belief the researcher had undertaken a study of "Occupational Stress - a study with reference to Bank Employees in Chennai" Comparative study with reference to the employees of Nationalized Banks, State Bank of India, Private sector Banks and the Co- operative sector Banks in Chennai Key Words: Stress, Stressors,Organizational Stress, Coping strategies I. Introduction In today‟s economic environment of job insecurity, flatter organizations, and intense work pressures, there are quite a few managers who feel trapped where they are and such a feeling of being in a rut can turn into a persistent source of stress. If we feel frustrated in that job, we ought to do something about it. When we see successful People, we trend to assume that their careers have been smooth upward paths. It is not so, people who are seen to move up the management ladder step by step have no secret ticket or password. They simply work hard, watch for opportunities, await their turn, prepare and equip themselves for the bigger roles, and maintain a positive outlook on life. Second, it is not always necessary to switch jobs, to make our professional life more interesting and rewarding. Let us not presume that we have no power or means to improve the profile or life- style of the job, which we are now doing. Where there is a will, there is a way. If we have a good idea, we must preserve with it refuse to accept a negative response, and leave no stone unturned until we get it implemented. The sense of fulfillment and achievement which ensue, will elicit enduring satisfaction. What is more, a track record of such determination and indefatigable zeal cannot be ignored for too long, and the rewards will follow sooner or later. When we lack the ability and skill to lead with any situation, stress is bound to occur. An ability to laugh is an excellent antidote to stress and anxiety. Laughter is a good medicine, a panacea for all seasons. 'You are not fully dressed, without a smile on your face' is an adage always to remember. The smile has been defined as a curve on the face which helps straighter tense issues in life, besides squaring up people problems which otherwise warrants going round in circles. Stress management involves three main types of intervention. They are stress prevention, employee training, and employee counseling programme. We ought to observe that there is a cyclical nature in the sequence of these interventions. Employee counseling programme is a voluntary and confidential service, which provides help to employees and their immediate families in dealing with their personal, or work - related issues. II. Statement Of The Problem Extreme stress results in marked changes in the person‟s behavior, attitude, motivations and cognition that there are inevitable consequences for the people with whom they interact. Such persons usually affect those around them by virtue of their inactivity and negativism, rather than by deviant or disruptive activity. The negative views of the past, present and future coupled with the feelings hopelessness, worthlessness, the lack of interest and motivation mean the employees can no longer fulfill the active roles that they were playing previously. The impact of this sort of behavior can be more easily identified in the Productive Industries rather than Service Industries. In the interest of the individual customer, business world and the Government, banks and Bank employees are playing a very important role for developing the Indian Economy. Further Bank employees are considered to be a very important Human resource, where Banks serve better to the society and nation, the society and nation in turn develops. It is generally believed by the common man that employees of Banks may not experience stressors in their jobs when compared to other occupations. It is not so. To test the validity of this