Workplace Stress and Organizational Performance: The case of National Water and Sewerage Corporation in Mbale, Uganda.

Abstract

Workplace stress is a growing concern in organisations worldwide, affecting employee productivity, job satisfaction, and overall organisational performance. By examining how workplace stress affects the performance of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation in Mbale, Uganda and how levels of stress among employees relate to productivity and how well the organisation works. The research explores key stressors such as heavy workloads, job insecurity, poor working conditions, and organisational culture, assessing their effects on employee morale and efficiency. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews with NWSC employees, the study identifies significant correlations between high stress levels and reduced work output, increased absenteeism, and lower job commitment. The findings indicate that unmanaged stress negatively impacts service delivery and customer satisfaction, ultimately hindering the organisation’s overall performance. The study recommends employee wellness programmes, workload balancing, and stress management initiatives to improve workplace well-being and enhance productivity. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on workplace stress management in public utility organisations, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to foster a healthy and high-performing workforce.

The results show a clear negative link between high stress at work and how productive the organisation is, indicating that more stress leads to lower efficiency and worse employee morale. These findings are especially important in healthcare, as knowing how stress and performance interact can help develop ways to support employee well-being, which in turn improves service quality. The study's implications go beyond just the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, suggesting that other healthcare organisations might gain from introducing specific measures to reduce stress, which could boost overall performance and make work environments healthier. This research highlights the importance of organisational policies that focus on mental health as a key element affecting both individual and team performance results.