Sometimes we can feel a significant amount of stress about our workload but worry about bringing it up to our leader because:
- Many of our colleagues are managing a similar amount of tasks
- We’re afraid our leader may see us as unqualified
- Having the conversation could impact future opportunities at work
- Our leader may dismiss our feelings
Try our short eLearning module which includes key concepts related to this topic. You can share this with others or use it as part of a more in-depth learning program.
Workload reflection and discussion tool
The alternative to not having the conversation is that we may continue to work at the same pace and become chronically stressed and risk burnout.
The Workload reflection and discussion tool | PDF helps us dig deeper into the issue, reflect on the underlying causes of our stress and explore solutions that will support our success at work.
This tool can be used in a variety of ways:
- By any employee on their own, to privately review their current workload situation and the impact it may be having on their success and well-being.
- By any employee, to prepare for a discussion with their leader about workload or work stress.
- As a collaborative discussion between a supervisor and employee, to develop solutions to workload stress.
Task improvement worksheet
If the pressure comes from being unable to complete a task as efficiently as you are expected to, you may want to use the Task improvement worksheet | PDF to consider what you are doing now. By completing this form, you may gain insight into what you could do differently, or you could use it to start a conversation with a co-worker or leader who would be willing to help you consider alternative ways to make your job easier.
Dealing with a stressful boss
If the pressure is not really about the job at all, but rather with concerns about how you are being judged or managed, you may want to review the information in Dealing with a stressful boss, which offers a variety of tips of strategies to understand different management styles and ways to make it easier for you to work for them.
Share this tool with anyone who may be dealing with workload stress and overwhelm to help them start a conversation with their leader.
10-minute e-learning
Use this PDF for the setting workload boundaries concepts.
An accessible version is also available.
For more eLearning topics, see Microlearning modules.
Additional resources
- Managing stress. Many different approaches, tips, strategies and resources, to discover what will best help you to manage the stressors in your life.
- Prevent burnout. Strategies to identify, prevent or recover from burnout.
- Working from home. Comes with some unique challenges. Learn strategies to support your well-being while balancing your personal and work life.
- Starting a new job. Handle the stress and pressures of starting a new job.