Workload

Work burdens employees physically, mentally and socially. When the workload is suitable, this supports health, work ability and other prerequisites for smooth working life. Excessive or too light workload is a risk to health and work abilities.

The work’s stress factors should be assessed at the workplace. These have been divided into stress factors related to the

• work arrangements
• stress factors related to the contents of the work
• stress factors related to the work’s social functioning.

The factors related to the contents and arrangements of work and the factors related to the social functioning of the work are also referred to as psychosocial stress factors.

Assessing these thoroughly will help balance the workload, and the assessment is also part of a legislated hazard and risk assessment.

What should I do if my workload feels excessive?

The priority is to notify your employer of this. You can use the form below to help you: Notification to employer about excessive workload (PDF, in Finnish)

Tell your supervisor that you are experiencing detrimental stress and describe the factors in your work causing you stress. Request your employer to intervene in the situation. Your employer’s duty is to review the factors that have led to this situation and look for solutions to them. You can ask your occupational health and safety representative to assist you.

After you have reported the detrimental workload, your employer has to take measures to reduce your stress.

You can also contact your occupational health services for help. They can also assist you in reviewing the situation.

The employer’s obligations

The employer is obligated to monitor the workload and stress levels of the employees. If signs of excessive stress do appear, the supervisor should first bring the matter up with the employee. Good supervisory work and the competence for bringing up difficult issues are key areas in cases of excessive stress.

A supervisor does not need to be able to solve all the problems that come up, but they do need to start reviewing them and, if necessary, seek help from occupational healthcare services or the workplace’s occupational safety and health personnel. The information on factors causing excessive workload could reach the supervisor through various channels; what is important is that this always obligates the supervisor to take action.

A supervisor’s duty is to monitor the situation of their subordinates, ask them questions and chat with them and to react to any alarm signals, such as increasing number of symptomatic behaviour and sick leave, deteriorating work performance, behavioural changes, retreat from contact, conflicts in the work community and increasing number of hazardous situations.

After analysing the results of the workload reviews, the workplace should plan the necessary measures for fixing the issues that have been brought up.

The Occupational Safety And Health Act obligates the employer to rectify any factors threatening occupational well-being and to always monitor the effects of the measures in place