When work is a threat to both health and morale
Psychosocial risks in the workplace are risks that can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological health of workers. They are rooted in the organization of work, management practices, employment conditions and social relations.
The health and social services sector has one of the highest levels of exposure to such risks, in particular because of deficiencies in the organization of work. Centralization and performance-driven management have significantly ramped up the pressure on employees, increasing the prevalence of these risks.
Psychosocial risk factors are very broad: devaluation of work, insufficient decision-making autonomy, difficult interpersonal relations, communication problems and more. Statistically, excessive workload appears regularly at the top of this list.
Too many demands, not enough resources
A link has been demonstrated between work overload and a range of health problems, whether mental (e.g.: depressive disorders and burnout) or physical (e.g.: cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders).
Work overload also limits employee creativity and initiative, often leaving them unable to find meaning in their jobs – another psychosocial risk factor.
Workload becomes problematic for two reasons: 1) physical, intellectual or emotional demands that are too great (e.g.: amount of work, unrealistic goals, lack of support); and 2) lack of resources (e.g.: insufficient staff, not enough time to complete tasks).
The manager’s responsibility first and foremost
Workload is an employer responsibility. The Act respecting occupational health and safety makes this clear: the employer must take the measures necessary to protect workers’ health and ensure their safety and physical and mental well-being.
The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux has adopted an action plan that asks institutions to produce and implement an intervention strategy for psychosocial risks, including workload (identified as one of the main risks).
For its part, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec has identified management practices that can reduce workload-related psychosocial risks by fostering feedback about the issue; these practices include weekly team meetings, discussions among colleagues about the difficulties they face, and employee participation in changes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Credits:
Created with images by • undefined - Verzweifelte und traurige junge Frau • undefined - Hand holding red heart, World health day, Health care and mental health concept, Health insurance, Charity volunteer donation, CSR responsibility, World heart day, Self love