*Underload Syndrome (工作量不饱和之综合症)
Underload Syndrome--Jason Weir
What is it?
Especially in times of cost reduction and reduced headcount, we have all been subject to work overload, but what happens when we lack workload? There have been several recent articles and journal studies that warn of the detrimental effects of being, well, not busy. Psychologists have coined the term 搖nderload syndrome?to describe the condition.
Essentially, underload syndrome is characterized by the onset of boredom in the workplace. The result, experts say, for those who lack stimulation in their work life is the likely onset of frequent bouts with depression, headaches, fatigue, and vulnerability to illness.
Who is susceptible and what can be done about it? It is widely believed that boredom has the same effects on people as stress. Given this, it is only natural for those subjected to inane, repetitive tasks that present no challenge in their jobs would suffer some form of side effect; just as they would from being overly challenged.
Practically anyone can suffer from underload syndrome ?it is truly an affliction that does not discriminate. However, those that are typically active in both their work and personal lives are more susceptible. The introduction of less work and stress actually drives this type of person more rapidly to boredom. Additionally, those in jobs that are either easily mastered or are 揵elow?the skill set of the employee are prone to underload syndrome. The thinking here is that because the employee has perfected the job, they can carry out their responsibilities with little effort and, therefore, become lethargic. While we certainly can not shift employees from job to job based on their 揷onquering?of the duties associated with a particular function, ensuring that employees are continually challenged, or encouraged, to expand their skill set is an effective preventative treatment. Another practice is to enhance or develop sound personal and career development practices.
What does HR need to know?
Underload syndrome is a term used to describe the condition suffered by those who lack stimulation in their work lives. It is characterized by mild depression, headaches, fatigue, and vulnerability to illness.
A recent University of Northumbria (UK) study found that bored individuals miss more days of work due to sickness than any other group.
Usually busy employees that realize a sudden decline in workload, employees that have 搊utgrown?their jobs, or those carrying out mundane tasks without even slight variety for long periods of time are extremely susceptible to underload syndrome.
相关词汇
cost reduction 缩减开支reduced headcount 裁员
detrimental effects 不良影响，负面作用
underload syndrome 工作不饱和综合症
by the onset ……发作
fatigue 疲劳
susceptible 易受影响的
inane 空洞
affliction 苦恼
discriminate 区别的
prone to 倾于
lethargic 昏睡的
mundane 平凡的、凡庸的
文章大意
随着社会的发展，人们需要留意办公室里出现的“工作不饱和综合症”。“工作不饱和综合症”产生的原因是：工作空洞、长期缺乏挑战性、工作内容不断的重复等因缺乏刺激或激励引起的综合症状。
“工作不饱和综合症”的伴随症状是：轻微的失落、头痛、疲惫以及容易得病等等。
基本上所有的人都有机会患“工作不饱和综合症”，但平时工作比较积极或者已经熟悉掌握工作技巧的员工最易患上综合症。
增加工作挑战性，以及鼓励提升员工的工作技能等是预防综合症较好的方法。
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