THE PROBLEM
Dave’s boss wants him to be aware of the risks of work overload in the company, which impacts on morale and can result in mental injuries, which could lead to costly workers compensation claims. Dave is instructed to work with Dr Cotton to check on his team and their workloads.
Dave loves a round of golf and looks after his own work/life balance, but it’s clear his team members are suffering from overwork. In this episode, Dr Cotton helps Dave realise how overworked his team is, and implores him to understand the pressures his team face and to take steps to help them.
Dr Cotton’s top tips
Work overload is a major cause of mental injury. Signs include:
- Sleeping problems
- Feeling tense or grumpy
- Having negative thoughts
Managers should show support – when managers support their workers, they feel looked after and can cope better when it’s busy.