Open Access

Franca Höss

• Stress is an omnipresent phenomenon that has been increasingly used in a daily context. The underlying concept and far-reaching consequences of prolonged stress however seem to be often underrated. Nevertheless, the digital transition and fast technological advancement have seemingly fuelled the stress experience and created new challenges such as information overload, dysfunctional detachment or far-reaching substitution potential of numerous jobs. In line with this development, there are several health insurance companies being growingly alarmed as a trend of incapacity to work stemming from mental disorders has assumed horrifying proportions. These present circumstances ought to urge employers greatly to take actions, given the fact that employees spend a considerable large percentage of their lifetime at work. Therefore, employers have to assume responsibility in protecting employee’s well-being. In this context, the present bachelor thesis aims to provide an action model for employers in how to establish a stress management model in the framework of a holistic operation health management. Furthermore, the established model shall address particularly young professionals who have recently entered the job market. This is justified by the major transitions a career starter usually undergoes which commonly constitutes a particular stressful time in an individual’s life. For this purpose, this scientific work further builds on creating a comprehension of the current state of research and literature that has been collected to date. Providing an updated literature review, this work builds on secondary analyses. The bachelor thesis emphasises the complex nature of stress depending on a wide range of influential factors that can be both internal and external (work design, technological advancement, inherent resources as well as social support). Accordingly, employers can take action in realising behavioural prevention measures (i.e. trainings in communication, time management and relaxation techniques) and environmental prevention measures (i.e. workplace improvements by reduction of noise/dirt pollution, ergonomic workplace design;work tasks improvementsby increased scope for control, flexible working and break times; supporting health-promoting behaviour, e.g. balanced and healthy canteen meals, fitness courses).