Which one of the following is not an effect on performance, behaviour and health when stress level of an employee is high?

Correct option is A

Feeling sleepy all the time is not a direct or typical effect of high stress on an employee’s performance, behaviour, or health. While stress can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue, feeling sleepy all the time is more strongly associated with sleep disorders like insomnia, narcolepsy, or depression, rather than acute or even chronic stress alone. High stress is more likely to cause restlessness, anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulty sleeping, rather than drowsiness during the day.

Stress triggers a physiological response (fight-or-flight) that activates the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in increased alertness, not drowsiness. Therefore, while fatigue and exhaustion can occur, chronic daytime sleepiness is not a primary indicator of high stress levels.

Information Booster:

• Feeling sleepy all the time is a symptom of sleep deprivation, poor sleep hygiene, or other medical/mental health issues rather than a typical effect of stress.

• Stress often leads to difficulty falling asleep (insomnia), fragmented sleep, or early awakening, rather than oversleeping or persistent drowsiness.

• Sleep disorders and certain medications (like antihistamines or antidepressants) may cause sleepiness, but these are not directly due to stress.

• Chronic stress causes mental hyperactivity, making individuals more anxious and alert rather than sleepy.

• Employee stress is more behaviorally linked to irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, and reduced motivation, not drowsiness.

Additional Knowledge:

(b) Poor performance:
High stress levels significantly affect an employee’s cognitive functions, including memory, concentration, and decision-making, leading to reduced productivity and errors at work. This is a common and well-documented consequence of workplace stress.

(c) Exhaustion:
One of the core symptoms of chronic stress and burnout is emotional and physical exhaustion. Employees under constant stress feel drained, both mentally and physically, due to overactivation of the body's stress systems.

(d) Nervousness:
Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing symptoms like nervousness, agitation, and restlessness. These are typical psychological responses to stress and indicate heightened anxiety or tension.