IMPACT OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN MANUFACUTURING COMPANIES

Occupational stress is a complex psychological concept that can be defined as the change in a person’s mental or physical state in response to a circumstance that appraises challenge or threat from the workplace to the employee. This study examines the impact of occupational stress on employee performance in selected manufacturing companies in Ogun State. The primary objectives are to explore the relationship between occupational stress and employee turnover, and to assess the influence of stress on employee productivity within these companies. A descriptive research design was employed, focusing on employees of Favorite Paint and Chemical Nig. Ltd., with a population of 80 staff members. A random sampling technique was utilized, resulting in a calculated sample size of 67 based on Taro Yamane’s formula. Regression analysis was conducted to test the formulated hypotheses. The findings from the linear regression analysis reveal a strong correlation between occupational stress and employee turnover, indicating that higher stress levels are associated with increased turnover rates. This suggests that excessive stress in the workplace leads employees to leave their jobs. Conversely, the study found no significant effect of occupational stress on employee productivity, implying that employees may maintain their productivity despite stressors, possibly due to effective coping mechanisms. The study concludes that implementing comprehensive stress management strategies can address the root causes of occupational stress while fostering resilience and support among employees. It is recommended that companies regularly assess workloads and working conditions to identify and mitigate potential sources of occupational stress. Keywords: Occupational Stress, Employee Performance, Workplace Safety, Employee Turnover, Job Satisfaction