Occupational Stress and Coping Strategies among Public Sector Bank Employees: Evidence from SBI Branches in Amravati
Kundan R. Meshram , Pro. A. A. Umbarkar
1. PG Student, Department of Business Administration,
Sipna College of Engineering & Technology, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
2. Professor, Department of Business Administration,
Sipna College of Engineering & Technology, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
ABSTRACT
Occupational stress has emerged as a significant challenge in the banking sector due to increased workload, technological advancements, performance pressure, and changing customer expectations. Public sector banks, particularly the State Bank of India (SBI), have experienced substantial organizational and operational changes, which have intensified stress levels among employees. Understanding the sources of occupational stress and the coping strategies adopted by employees is essential for improving employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.
The present study aims to examine the level of occupational stress and the coping strategies adopted by employees of State Bank of India, with special reference to selected branches in Amravati district. A descriptive and empirical research design was adopted for the study. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to SBI employees across different designations, while secondary data were sourced from books, journals, and official reports. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean score analysis, correlation analysis, and t-test were used for data analysis.
The findings reveal that SBI employees experience a moderate to high level of occupational stress, primarily due to workload, time pressure, performance targets, and technological changes. The study also identifies a significant negative relationship between occupational stress and coping effectiveness, indicating that effective coping strategies help reduce stress levels. Officers were found to experience higher stress levels compared to clerical staff. The study concludes that organizational support, stress management training, and work-life balance initiatives are essential to mitigate occupational stress and enhance employee performance in public sector banks.
Keywords: Occupational Stress, Coping Strategies, Banking Employees, State Bank of India, Work Stress
