The Impact of Personal and Work Resources on Work Stress of Staff Members during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Khomas Region

ABSTRACT

High job demands, limited resources, work role conflict, uncertainty, organisational transformation, increase in student intake and diversity of the student population amplify the work stress that staff members at the University of Namibia (UNAM) are required to withstand. Work stress results in disengagement of employees, negative job attitudes, poor service delivery, poor health and well-being, burnout and eventually turnover. Emotional intelligence enhances employees’ coping ability and increases resilience, stress responsiveness as well as improve organisational commitment, work engagement and higher levels of health and well-being. This study collected data from UNAM staff members in the Khomas region on emotional intelligence (self-awareness;social skills), job demands-resources (growth;advancement) and work stress (lack of autonomy, workload, job insecurity) during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Self-awareness and social skills reported a negative relationship with work stress;growth and advancement reported a positive relationship with work stress. It is recommended that emotional intelligence training, team-building activities and social skills training be prioritised;additional social and administrative support could be provided to allow senior employees to cope better with work stress;the salaries and benefits should be re-evaluated against national and international standards but also to ensure internal and external fairness/equity.