Workload

Some key challenges

• Workload is hard to measure, both for individuals and teams.

• Self-report measures in well-being surveys are valuable but contain many other causal factors. 

• Generic measures and short questionnaires may identify an issue, but don’t give any clues as to how the problem might be solved

• Perceived workload and actual workload are not always the same thing

Solutions

Accurate assessment needs to take into account colleagues’:

• Skill/competence

• Levels of training

• Support

• Personal style

• Operational context. 
  

Thinking about the issue

Unconsidered workload/perceived workload in individuals and teams can lead to:

• Burnout, increased sick leave, and increased staff turnover.

• Operational failures, both chronic and acute

• Increased costs