Gender Differences on Occupational Stress Level among Government College Teachers in the State of Sikkim

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the gender differences on occupational stress level among college teachers in Sikkim.

Background: Stress in the workplace can have many origins or come from one single event. It can impact on both employees and employers alike. In Sikkim, occupational stress is not being given the attention or concerns and no research has been done till date.

Method: Purposive sampling method was used for this study. Thirty male and thirty female college teachers from Sikkim Government College, Gangtok were selected. Occupational Stress Index (OSI) was used to assess the occupational stress of employees. The index assesses the perceived stress of the employees arising from twelve dimensions of their job life. Participants' scores were evaluated and analyzed after using statistical techniques like mean, standard deviation and t-test.

Results: Data was analyzed and it was found that there is no significant difference among both male and female teachers on occupational stress. However, there is high level of occupational stress amongst teachers of Sikkim Government College (P < 0·05). This is due to many factors such as college environment, peer group pressures, socio-economic status, teacher's qualifications, lack of audit of work and home environment. 

Conclusion: It is important to reduce occupational stress among college teachers and to strengthen their coping resources to prevent burnout. This could be achieved with job redesign, appointment of more teachers, equal distribution of work load and by offering occupational health education.