What is Workload?
Workload refers to the volume, pace and time pressures of the work.
What are some signs that there may be a workload issue?
• Staff working additional hours to get work done including late nights, early mornings and weekends. • An increase in absenteeism. • An increase in unexpected turnover. • Low morale and poor workplace culture. • Staff expressing that they are fatigued. • Increases in errors or safety incidents.
What does good workload management look like?
People leaders are responsible for managing workload and job demands in consultation with their team members such that:
• The amount of work that employees are expected to do is reasonable for their positions. • Work volumes are considered alongside the complexity, level of difficulty, and the emotional and cognitive demands of the work. • Employees can exercise an appropriate level of job control over prioritising responsibilities and tasks, with adequate support. • Employees have the equipment, resources and support needed to do their job well. • Employees can talk to their people leaders about the amount of work they have to do, the nature of the work, and how this may be affecting their wellbeing.
What needs to be done about managing workload?
Workload needs to be managed pro-actively and re-actively.
Proactively:
If there is a workplace change or external change that is likely to increase workload, people leaders need to consult with employees to identify the anticipated workload, and how it can be managed before workload becomes a health and safety issue.
Reactively:
Where workload has unexpectedly recently increased, people leaders are expected to consult with staff as follows:
• Discuss shared workload issues at team meetings. Where are the pressure points? Has work increased? By how much? How long will this extra workload continue?
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