Exploring Alternative Approaches to the Management of Psycho-Social Hazards in The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Depot, Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Employees are the most critical and crucial resources of any organization and their work are often threatened by certain factors in the workplace. This study explored the alternative approaches to management of psycho-social hazards in the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) depot, Owerri, Nigeria. The paper extensively reviewed related and relevant literature. Job Characteristics Model (JCM) served as the theoretical framework. The paper highlighted the problems of psychosocial hazards within the manufacturing industries, particularly with reference to the NBC PLC, such as workload, unhealthy work place relationship, aggression, intimidation etc. It equally identified some of the standard measures applicable in addressing such hazards in the global practice. This paper concluded that such standard practices were notable to address the current levels of psychosocial hazards that are peculiar within the context of the, Owerri depot. The paper recommended among others that supervisors in the NBC should try to identifying when tasks assigned to employees become strenuous on their health. To manipulate this situation, managers should restrategize by changing the way the job is done or sharing the workload differently. It could also be done by introducing flexible job-sharing, ensuring that employees have the required knowledge and ability to perform their assigned roles, and equally follow up to supervise and direct them inflexible ways that could encourage and motivate them to do better. Again, managers should address issues of poor interpersonal relationship in the workplace by addressing issues of work-related bullying, aggression, harassment of any sort, discrimination and other unreasonable behaviours by co-workers, supervisors or managers. Organisational managers in the NBC should develop, implement and enforce a code of conduct so that everyone is aware of appropriate work behaviours and equally ensure that such standards are implemented to demonstrate that there are consequences for inappropriate behaviours.