Work demands include things like role overload, unrealistic time pressure, ambiguity or conflict, and emotional demands of the job, conflict arising from tasks, relationships, change management, a lack of organisational justice and a worker’s sense of fairness at work.
Staff who experience high work demands like excessive workloads, resource constraints or time pressures can often feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. Staff experiencing low work demands like repetitive tasks can often feel disengaged or underutilised.
In either scenario, when work demands are not effectively managed workers are more likely to experience work related stress. Extreme or long-lasting stress is harmful and can lead to serious illness or injury to workers.
Work Demands can impact the worker as well as impacting the workplace.
In terms of impacting the worker, work demands that are not effectively managed may result things like depression, anxiety, fatigue, burnout, anger and/or mood swings, problems sleeping, diminished performance or disengagement or being withdrawn from work.
In terms of impacting the workplace, work demands that are not managed effectively may result in things like a poor workplace culture, negative or strained team dynamics, increased worker injury or illness, reduced productivity, higher turnover, increased absenteeism, and client or customer complaints.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team about effectively managing work demands for your organisation, please call us on 08 9535 4604.
*Comcare Work Demands: practical guidance for employers
