Work Overload

Definition

Work overload happens when job demands exceed an individual's ability to deal with them; i. e. exceed the time and resources available. Work overload represents the weight of hours, the sacrifice of time, and the sense of frustration with the inability to complete tasks in the time given. Long working hours, particularly at the expense of other parts of workers' lives, help to create overload. Added to long hours is the sense that there is too much to do in too little time.

Work overload may be seen as quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative overload is defined as having too much work to do in the time available. Quantitative overload is related to the amount of time available, whereas qualitative overload refers to the skill level of the employee, e. g. to the resources.

Work overload may lead to work-related stress (job-related stress) – to harmful emotional and physical responses when requirements of a job do not match available individual characteristics and...