2. Overutilization and long hours
Overutilization is when employees are assigned more work than
their capacity allows and typically occurs due to poor project
planning. Whether a project manager underestimates the time
needed to complete each task or an urgent client request is
granted at the last minute, the end result is an employee
working overtime to meet deadlines.
Understaffing
There is often an expectation that teams will ‘band together’ to
get projects over the line when businesses are understaffed.
However, it isn’t fair to expect workers to miss personal
commitments to pick up additional work caused by understaffing;
instead, it is on employers to deal with understaffing before it
backfires.
3. Lack of flexible working arrangements
There is no excuse for not offering flexibility at work. We now
know that flexible location and schedule arrangements can
improve employees' mental health, physical health, and work-life
balance.
Limited opportunities for development and career growth
If employees feel there are limited opportunities for development
and growth within their team, they may put additional pressure
on themselves to ‘prove’ their value and worthiness for
promotion by overworking.
4. Company culture that encourages overworking
Company culture has a huge impact on the way employees
behave and feel. For example, presenteeism - where employees
turn up to work even if they're unwell and unproductive - can
suggest managers' expectations are damaging their team's
health.
Financial worries and job insecurity
Similarly, when employees become concerned about finances or
career security, they can find it difficult to maintain a healthy
work life balance.
5. Lack of autonomy and control at work
Autonomy is key to well-being at work. Managers who don’t trust
their employees to make the right decisions about their
workloads, priorities, and working arrangements set them on the
fast track to work-life conflict.
