To be or not to be… overloaded with work
Do you sometimes feel that a situation is more than you can handle – that you’re overwhelmed, stressed, at the end of your rope? Is this a passing feeling, or are you getting it more and more often? Could this be work overload? How can you tell?
To answer that question, we need to make a distinction between workload and work overload. This fact sheet will give you a clearer perspective.
One concept, three aspects
Workload has three aspects:
- Prescribed workload is the work that your manager asks you to carry out, in terms of performance (deadlines, objectives, quantity, quality) and procedures.
- Real workload is all of the work you actually have to do in order to deliver on the prescribed workload, including direct tasks (evaluating a service user, drawing up an intervention plan, etc.) and indirect tasks (reading a file, compiling data, answering calls, travelling X number of kilometres, etc.).
- Experienced workload is how you feel not only about the combination of the first two workloads (prescribed and real), but also about backlogs, and tasks that are not being performed on time.
When you’re asked to do the impossible
In real life, employers often underestimate the magnitude of your tasks and responsibilities because they are focused on prescribed workload, objectives, and procedures, at the expense of everything else.
As a result, what may look simple to your employer may in fact be very demanding because of your real workload (filling out forms, getting in touch with people and so on) and also because of your experienced workload.
There can be a significant gap between what is expected of you and the resources you are given to perform as expected.
Putting your finger on the problem is part of the solution
When you’re not able to exercise some degree of control over your workload, this can lead to high level of physical, psychological and emotional fatigue, which then has an impact on your performance.
This situation is harmful not only for you, but also for your employer since it can lead to problems such as absenteeism or high turnover. It is important not to underestimate its effects.
There are solutions, however, and the first step is to correctly identify the problem. Communication is a key element in this process, and solidarity between colleagues is also very important.
Your local union team is there to help you
Do you think you’ve crossed the line between workload and work overload? Talk to your local union team. They’re there to make sure you have the information you need and guide you through the maze of workload issues. They can provide resources and support as you take action.