Abstract
This chapter examines occupational safety as one of the factors of professional satisfaction and stress and in two studies – one conducted in regular conditions (sample of 320 respondents) and the other conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (sample of 352 respondents). So, it was possible to compare the obtained results and conclude in what way the pandemic led to changes in those feelings among people employed in different sectors and different gender. The results show that the factor of occupational safety is the most important for persons employed in the private sector and those who own private business, while for the state employees it is in second place. The highest satisfaction is present in state employees, while the situation is completely opposite in persons employed in the private sector. Women generally have a lower sense of professional satisfaction, while differences in the level of stress after a pandemic disappeared.
TopIntroduction
The situation with the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly changed the way that small and medium-sized enterprises and organizations operate. In order to survive in a very competitive and turbulent market, it is necessary to meet the changes and perceive them as challenges and not as dangers (Čerović, 2015; Milošević & Čolović, 2019). Besides, a large number of companies do not operate locally but globally, which further emphasizes the need to develop mechanisms in order to be competitive in the market and operate profitably as much as possible (Mitic, et al., 2018; Kostić et al., 2021).
Only organizations that are able to quickly and effectively reorganize and adapt will be able to successfully overcome the crisis situation with a few loses, which will be consequences at the global level in the years ahead.
Occupational safety is one of the most important factors of professional stress and satisfaction. Providing safe and optimal working conditions is the duty of every employer, but also a great obligation, because injuries at work, absence of workers due to illness and leaving the organization are one of the largest costs (Nešić, et al., 2013).
Professional satisfaction and stress in numerous studies proved to be very important factors in improving performance and achieving short-term and long-term goals of the organization (Čolović & Stojković, 2017; Čolović et al., 2020; Čolović et al., 2021; Džamić & Miljević, 2015).
The first target of Covid-19 pandemic was healthcare professionals, whose level of professional stress increased rapidly. They have to use different coping strategies in order to reduce and control a negative effect of occupational stress in these circumstances. The main protective factor was a positive attitude towards the stressful situation in general, while as risk factors female gender, seeking social support, avoidance strategies and working with COVID-19 patients are singled. On the other hand, economic status, problem solving ability and turning to religion were not connected with the level of stress (Babore et al., 2020).
Another study shows that psychological factors, such as increased optimism (as opposed to pronounced pessimism), with a high level of general trust and distrust of conspiracy theories, may reduce the level of fear and a higher level of preventive behaviors (Jovančević & Milićević, 2020).
For this reason, more and more scientists in the field of psychology, economics, human resources, management, occupational safety, organizational behavior and corporate culture pay attention to examining the factors and conditions of professional satisfaction of employees, as well as the ways in which it can raise. They also invest plenty of money in planning and developing strategies to reduce stress at work. All of this leads to the optimization of working conditions and maximizing performance and occupational safety.
This paper compares the main factors of professional satisfaction and stress in two situations, before and during a pandemic. In that way, it was possible to compare the results of both researches and determine possible differences in professional satisfaction and stress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Employment Security: Assessment of employees that their job is secure in the sense that the organizations they work for plan long-term cooperation with them.
COVID-19 Pandemic: An ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Interpersonal Relationships: Relationships that are established and developed between two or more persons. In professional context they refer to relations between colleagues, superiors, subordinates, and associates.
Professional Satisfaction: Very complex feeling and attitude of an employee towards his/her own professional role and work which give a unique sense of pleasure, happiness, and fulfillment.
Professional Stress: Very complex feeling and attitude of employee towards his/her own professional role and work which give a unique sense of displeasure, emptiness, dissatisfaction, futility, and reduced motivation which can manifest in various ways, from very mild symptoms and health problems, through psychosomatic diseases, to even serious mental disorders.
Occupational Safety: All efforts made by organizations in order to prevent any injuries and hazards in work environments and to improve and create conditions for optimal functioning of employees on the physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social and behavioral levels.
Factors of Professional Satisfaction and Stress: Factors that play a major role in feelings of professional satisfaction and stress and often affect each other.
Sector of Work: Different types of organizations and institutions for which people are working. These could be, according to one division, state employees, employees in the private sector, and people who own their private business.
Opportunities for Advancement/Training: Assessment of employees whether and to what extent the organizations they work for provide them with opportunities for additional training and professional development.