unreasonable work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unreasonable work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe tasks or expectations that are excessive, unfair, or not justifiable in a work context. Example: "The demands of this project require unreasonable work hours that are affecting our team's morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is not impossible or even unreasonable work to divide up 850,000 people between European nations, based on size and space and GDP per capita – and require each nation, as a condition of membership, to take its share.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whether the company has a union or not, the NLRB protects employees who are attempting to gain support of coworkers to combat an unreasonable work condition or form a union.

Huffington Post

One doctor indicated that she was the only doctor working at 27 clinics and this gave her an unreasonable work load.

BMC Health Services Research

Say no to unreasonable work requests.

WikiHow

Low pay, unsafe work conditions and unreasonable work demands may be the real reasons behind employee resignations, and may be conditions that the particular manager cannot control.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If abusive behavior is to stop, unreasonable working conditions for resident physicians must first be reformed.

The New York Times

But at the same time, I still see lots of examples of where, despite programmes designed to support women, those women are leaving the employer because they are still experiencing either discrimination or an inability to meet their (not unreasonable) working requirements.

The Guardian

The visualization provides a good reference for project managers to plan and execute OOGP decommissioning, and potentially unreasonable working sequences and lengthy activity durations can be detected and resolved.

Visualization in Engineering

Even while wanting to be released from debt bondage and unreasonable working conditions, women may wish (in the name of gaining economic independence and security, the ability to support children, and so on) to remain in the country to which they were "trafficked" [ 17].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

This possibility is not entirely unreasonable because work from our laboratory has shown that Notch signaling accelerates ubiquitin-mediated degradation of E2A proteins in cellular environments with sufficient Erk activities [45], [46].

Plosone

They've got an unreasonable amount of work to do, given the number of hours allocated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employment conditions, be specific about what makes the work "unreasonable". Provide quantifiable metrics like hours, deadlines, or resource constraints to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "unreasonable work" as a generic complaint. Always provide concrete examples and context to demonstrate why the work is considered unreasonable. Without support, it comes across as unsubstantiated criticism.

Linguistic Context

"Unreasonable work" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unreasonable' modifies the noun 'work'. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase typically describes tasks or expectations that are excessive, unfair, or not justifiable. It points to an imbalance between the work assigned and the resources or time available to complete it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unreasonable work" is used to describe tasks, assignments, or workloads that are excessive, unfair, or impractical. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and applicable in diverse writing scenarios. It's particularly relevant in discussions about labor conditions, employee well-being, and workplace fairness. Recognizing its neutral to professional register and usage across news, scientific, and wiki sources, the phrase serves as a foundation for advocating for better working environments. Alternatives like "excessive workload" or "unfair labor practices" can provide nuance in different contexts. Providing specific examples will allow the writer to emphasize the importance to show the topic instead of saying it directly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive workload

Focuses specifically on the quantity of work being too high.

unfair labor practices

Highlights the unjust nature of the work conditions.

unmanageable tasks

Emphasizes the difficulty in completing the assigned tasks.

overwhelming responsibilities

Stresses the feeling of being burdened by too much work.

undue burden

Highlights the inappropriate weight of the work.

inordinate work demands

Focuses on the excessive nature of the work requests.

impossible assignments

Emphasizes the infeasibility of completing the work.

unrealistic expectations

Highlights the impracticality of what's being asked.

oppressive labor conditions

Emphasizes the harshness of the work environment.

exploitative working terms

Highlights the unfair advantage taken by the employer.

FAQs

How can I describe "unreasonable work" in a more formal way?

Consider using alternatives such as "excessive workload", "undue burden", or "unmanageable tasks" depending on the specific context.

What are the potential consequences of assigning "unreasonable work"?

Assigning "unreasonable work" can lead to decreased employee morale, increased stress levels, burnout, and higher employee turnover. It can also negatively impact productivity and the overall quality of work.

What laws protect employees from "unreasonable work" demands?

While there isn't a specific law defining "unreasonable work", labor laws often address issues like overtime pay, safe working conditions, and discrimination, which can be relevant when "unreasonable work" leads to violations of these laws. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) protects employees attempting to combat an "unreasonable work" condition.

How can employees address "unreasonable work" expectations with their employer?

Employees can address "unreasonable work" expectations by documenting specific instances, discussing concerns with their supervisor or HR department, and proposing potential solutions or adjustments to their workload. It's helpful to focus on the impact of the "unreasonable work" on their performance and well-being.