ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the epidemic nature of occupational stress and identifies some antecedents, including work intensification, electronic surveillance, and Global Best Practice production methods. It also identifies how the individual is often seen as the problem in work-related stress rather than workplaces or production methods. In 1936, Hans Selye published a definitive article in Nature arguing that stress was part of the etiology of disease. Stress has since become accepted in the biomedical, medical, behavioral, and social sciences literature as an important area of study. Peterson provided data to show the effects of work intensification and job changes on stress. He reported that the most significant predicators of stress were a lack of decision latitude and control, followed by increased pace and effort. This evidence indicates that in the late 1990s, in Australia at least, "best practice" models which focus on these two elements are likely to have the most significant effects.
