Work Stress And Employee Productivity In Startup Environments: A Case Study Of Pt. Xyz

Abstract

This research is motivated by the growing phenomenon of work stress among employees in startup companies, where a fast-paced environment, high performance demands, and unpredictable workloads can potentially reduce productivity. As a technology-driven startup, PT. XYZ requires employees to be adaptive and innovative, yet such conditions often create pressure that may hinder long-term performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of work stress on employee productivity at PT. XYZ. The population of this study consists of all employees of PT. XYZ, with a sample of 50 respondents selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale and analyzed with simple linear regression using SPSS version 26. The results indicate that work stress has a significant negative effect on employee productivity, with R = 0.611; R² = 0.373; F = 28.594; and Sig. = 0.000. The regression coefficient of –0.511 reveals that each one-unit increase in work stress decreases productivity by 0.511. This means that work stress accounts for 37.3% of the variance in productivity, while other factors explain the remaining proportion. These findings confirm that excessive work stress in startup environments significantly reduces productivity. Therefore, management should design effective stress management strategies, including workload adjustment, work–life balance support, and employee wellness initiatives, to ensure sustainable productivity and organizational growth.