A balance theory of job design for stress reduction

Abstract This paper proposes a new way of conceptualizing job design and job stress based on the balance among job elements. It integrates social psychological theories of job design with job stress concepts to develop a model of job balance that addresses how organization and job design can influence worker health. The model defines how job design can improve “loading” factors on the worker by “balancing” aspects of the job which can produce stress. The implications of this model for enhancing worker health by controlling workplace stress are discussed. The model provides a holistic approach for designing workplaces that balance production and stress considerations.