The Islamic University College, Ghana (IUCG) administration has kicked off a five-day workshop aimed at enhancing the well-being and productivity of its staff.
The workshop, which began on Tuesday 20th August 2024, brought together all staff members for an intensive session on stress management, a critical aspect of workplace health.
Day 1 of the workshop featured a comprehensive lecture on “Stress Management Strategies for Employees of IUCG,” led by Dr. Inusah Abdul-Nasiru, a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Psychology at the University of Ghana.
As an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist, Dr. Abdul-Nasiru provided valuable insights into the complexities of workplace stress, breaking down its levels into three categories: low, medium, and high.
Dr. Abdul-Nasiru’s lecture covered the multifaceted nature of stress, detailing the differences between “good” stress, which can be motivating, and “bad” or “ugly” stress, which can have detrimental effects on health and performance.
He distinguished between hindrance stress, which hampers productivity, and challenge stress, which can inspire growth and development.
The session also addressed chronic stress symptoms and their potential impact on employees’ well-being.
Dr. Abdul-Nasiru identified several major causes of stress within the workplace, including job-related factors, role ambiguity, personality traits, interpersonal relationships, career development challenges, and the interference of home responsibilities with work duties.
Highlighting the significant costs of stress to both individuals and the institution, Dr. Abdul-Nasiru emphasized the importance of effective stress management strategies.
He advocated for self-care practices, strategic life planning, the cultivation of social support networks, and the need for adequate rest and relaxation.
Additionally, he underscored the role of organizational support in mitigating stress and offered practical tips for managing time effectively to reduce stress.
The workshop, which is expected to continue with more focused sessions in the coming days, reflects IUCG’s commitment to fostering a healthy work environment.
By equipping its staff with tools to manage stress effectively, the university aims to enhance overall productivity and job satisfaction.
Dr. Abdul-Nasiru’s engaging approach included interactive activities, where participants assessed their stress levels and explored various coping mechanisms.
His presentation served as a wake-up call to the importance of addressing stress proactively and adopting healthy management techniques.
The subsequent days of the workshop will delve deeper into other critical areas of staff development, with the university administration hopeful that these efforts will yield long-term benefits for both employees and the institution.
