Antecedents of Stress Perception and Willingness to Recommend Employer in Healthcare Organization

Abstract

This study aimed to identify work-related factors contributing to perceived stress (SP) among employees at a large Swiss university hospital and to determine if these factors also affect employees’ willingness to recommend their employer (WRE). Utilizing the Job Demands-Resources framework, this research involved a survey of over 13,000 employees, with data analyzed from over 5500 respondents. These findings indicate that resources such as value congruence, leadership and communication, and work schedule flexibility can mitigate stress and positively influence WRE. Conversely, time constraints have emerged as a significant organizational demand that exacerbates stress and diminishes WRE. The study also reveals a negative relationship between SP and WRE, highlighting that stress not only harms employee health but also reduces organizational attractiveness. Addressing work-related stress is crucial for maintaining employee well-being and enhancing hospitals’ ability to retain and attract staff, particularly in the current context of nursing and medical staff shortages. These findings have significant implications for human resources management in hospitals.