NIGERIA
The Governor of the Nigerian State of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode (pictured) says he does not want Public Servants to work too hard, as this could cause them stress.
The Governor told a two-day training workshop for PS staff that excessively high workloads, with unrealistic deadlines making people feel rushed, under pressure and overwhelmed, would certainly lead to stress, which was dangerous to health.
“At the other end of the spectrum, insufficient workloads make people feel that their skills are being underused and a lack of control over work activities can also result in stress,” Mr Ambode said.
The Governor also identified lack of interpersonal support or poor working relationships leading to a sense of isolation as one of the causes of stress in workplaces.
“People being asked to do a job for which they have insufficient experience or training and difficulty settling into a new promotion, both in terms of meeting the new role’s requirements and adapting to possible changes in relationships with colleagues, can lead to stress,” Mr Ambode said.
He also warned PS staff against being concerned about job security, lack of career opportunities or level of pay, as these could fuel stress, too.
“Bullying or harassment from their bosses at work and a blame culture within their organisation where people were afraid to get things wrong or to admit to making mistakes, will often lead to stress,” Mr Ambode said.
“Clearly, the senior officers of the Lagos State Civil Service will greatly benefit from this seminar as they learn how to make the Civil Service as stress-free as possible.”
Meanwhile, a Magistrates Court in the Federal capital of Abuja has sentenced a PS employee, Aminu Maru to a year in prison for leaking sensitive Government documents.
The Court was told Mr Maru was working for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria when he leaked official documents in return for a bribe.
It was alleged the documents could be used to blackmail top Government officials.
Abuja, 22 March 2018
