Why Competent Employees Get Overworked

It's a common phenomenon in the modern workforce where competent employees are increasingly overworked. This arises not only due to the shortage of such employees but also due to the continuous downsizing of companies and the unproductive behavior of less competent colleagues. Let’s delve deeper into these factors and explore the underlying issues.

Scarcity of Competent Employees

The landscape of today's job market is characterized by a scarcity of competent employees. According to my observations, among the dozens of people I interact with each day, only a small handful truly deserve the label of competent. This scarcity has led to a situation where companies are pinning all their hopes on a few professionals who possess the requisite skill set and expertise. As a result, competent employees are often expected to pick up the slack for those who lack the necessary competencies.

Downsizing and Staff Cuts

Another contributing factor is the frequent downsizing and staff cuts in many organizations. Many employers, for unknown reasons, are reducing their workforce even during economic upturns. For instance, significant tax cuts could have encouraged hiring more employees rather than less. However, this logic often goes out the window, and companies opt for smaller teams rather than larger ones. This has further exacerbated the problem of overworking the competent employees who are left behind.

The Role of Incompetent Colleagues

The incompetence of less experienced or less qualified employees can significantly impact the workload of the competent ones. These less productive colleagues often fail to contribute their fair share of work, thereby placing heavier burdens on their more competent peers. Incompetent individuals may take longer to complete tasks, generate irrelevant outputs, or create unnecessary complications that slow down the entire team.

Why Competent Employees Are Typically Overworked

Competent employees are often overworked because they are highly valued within the organization. When such individuals excel and get recognized, they often become overloaded with responsibilities. They are expected to mentor less competent colleagues, handle more complex tasks, and maintain a high level of performance consistently.

Continuous Drag on Productivity

The real issue lies in the duration for which incompetent employees can continue to stay within the organization. Their underperformance and inefficient work habits can drag down the entire team's productivity. Even if competent employees are stretched thin, the constant presence of unproductive colleagues can create a toxic work environment, leading to higher stress levels and lower job satisfaction. It is essential to address this issue promptly by either improving the performance of the less competent employees or finding a way to manage their workloads more effectively.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of competent employees getting overworked is a multifaceted problem with deep roots in workforce dynamics. While the scarcity of competent talent and the downsizing of companies play significant roles, the persistent presence of incompetent colleagues is a critical factor that needs attention. Addressing this issue requires a combination of employee development, performance management, and organizational restructuring.