Stress, well-being and aging in the Italian banking sector: Evidence and future perspectives

The economic crisis of 2007–08 produced an epochal impact on the Italian banking sector in terms of economic policies and work reorganization. As part of these changes, banking employees have been forced to broaden their skills and activities and, with that, their risk and responsibility profile. Inevitably, occupational stress has notably increased, and the rise of new emerging risk factors like robberies and aging has negative consequences on workplaces, and employees’ quality of life and health. Therefore, it is necessary to know in depth the risks and relative consequences of these changes, in order to establish effective preventive policies. This chapter provides a brief overview of these aspects, focuses on new risk factors and their impact on occupational stress in the banking sector, and gives some practical tips to prevent their onset and reduce their effect.