work overload

USAGE SUMMARY

"work overload" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to excessive work demands that may lead to stress or fatigue. For example: "The employee was struggling to keep up with the work overload."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For instance, lack of management support, lack of supervision, poor working conditions, work overload, emotional burn out, lack of appropriate resources and poor infrastructure [ 42].

BMC Health Services Research

This result may reflect job insecurity, work overload, lack of professional development and inadequate working conditions.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Avoid work overload and maintain boundaries.

The Guardian

Mr. Zamit says that future recruitment plans do not change the present work overload.

The New York Times

"These are far-ranging, from work overload to difficult relationships with colleagues or managers, and living with uncertainty and rapid change".

The Guardian

But when it comes to job stress, work overload, lack of autonomy, social or supervisory support tend to be more important".

The Guardian

These stressors included three main ideas of work overload, communication, and classroom management and discipline.

Teaching and Teacher Education

Compared to non-surgeons, surgeons reported more restrictions on their private and family life due to work overload (59% vs. 74%) [20].

Health Economics Review

Finally, the last element that was valued positively by students was the fact that the course did not result in a work overload outside the classroom.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Examples observed include a work overload, which led to a lack of time to pause and reflect upon internal development processes.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

These feelings of work overload can have a negative impact on organizational commitment as well as on significant others.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, quantify "work overload" whenever possible by mentioning specific tasks or time commitments that contribute to it.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "work overload" is simply about long hours. It often involves factors like unclear priorities, lack of resources, and inefficient processes that need to be addressed alongside time management.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work overload" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a state of excessive work demands. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English to describe a situation involving excessive work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work overload" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that describes a state of having excessive work demands. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts, highlighting its relevance across various professional domains. While the phrase is generally neutral, it often carries negative connotations related to stress and reduced productivity. When using the term, quantifying the overload with specific examples can improve clarity. Recognizing its implications and addressing the underlying causes is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive workload

Focuses on the quantity of work exceeding a manageable level.

overwhelming demands

Emphasizes the intensity and pressure created by the tasks at hand.

heavy workload

Highlights the substantial amount of work required.

excessive work demands

Similar to "work overload", but highlights the demands the work requires.

unmanageable workload

Indicates that the amount of work is beyond a person's ability to handle.

overburdened with work

Focuses on the state of being weighed down by too much work.

crushing workload

Emphasizes the severe and demoralizing effect of excessive work.

too much to handle

A more informal way of expressing that the amount of work is overwhelming.

understaffing

Highlights that the quantity of workers for that job are not enough, usually resulting in "work overload" for the remaining workers.

laborious tasks

Focuses on the difficult and demanding characteristics of tasks that add to the feeling of being overwhelmed.

FAQs

How to use "work overload" in a sentence?

You can use "work overload" to describe situations where someone has too much work. For example, "The team is experiencing significant "work overload" due to the recent project expansion."

What are some alternative phrases for "work overload"?

Alternatives include "excessive workload", "overwhelming demands", or "heavy workload". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What are the common causes of "work overload"?

Common causes include understaffing, increased project demands, inefficient processes, and lack of clear priorities. Addressing these issues can help alleviate "work overload".

Is "work overload" the same as burnout?

"Work overload" is a contributing factor to burnout, but they are not the same. "Work overload" refers to the excessive amount of work, while burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress.