Work Intensification Rising? 55% of Workers Report Increasing Job Demands
New research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) highlights a troubling trend of work intensification. According to the findings, 61% of workers reported feelings of exhaustion at the end of most working days, and 55% feeling that their jobs have become increasingly intense and demanding over time.
The nature of work is shifting rapidly, not only where employees are experiencing a growing increase in the volume of their tasks, but the speed and intensity at which they must be completed is also escalating.
This raises an important question: what are the broader implications for employees, and how
can organizations better support their workforce in navigating these evolving demands?
What can we put work intensification down to?
The rise of remote working
It could be argued that one of the key factors contributing to the growing intensity of
work is the rise of remote and hybrid work. While remote working was already a growing trend before the pandemic, it was not as widespread.
During the peak of the pandemic, remote work surged, with 69% of the US workforce
working from home. Even in 2023, 30% of employees continue to work remotely which is six times higher than pre-pandemic levels.
While remote and hybrid work have enabled flexibility, it has in many ways also blurred the lines between personal and professional life. With emails, apps and messages all at our fingertips, work now follows us everywhere – anytime and anywhere.
Evidence suggests that this always-on culture is leading to extended working hours and
growing workloads. According to the TUC, compared to just 12 months ago:
- 36% of workers report spending more time outside of contracted hours reading, sending, or replying to emails
- 32% say they’re spending more time outside of their regular hours completing core work tasks.
By 2030, the number of these global digital jobs that can be performed remotely from anywhere is expected to rise by roughly 25% to around 92 million. As remote working continues to increase, organizations must continually assess the impact this work style has on work intensification
Pressure to perform
As organizations adapt to evolving work models such as the integration of new technologies, hybrid work structures, and more streamlined operations, the demands placed on employees have increased significantly.
Many workers now handle larger workloads, multiple roles, or additional tasks, all contributing to higher work intensity. 40% of respondents from the TUC research reported that they’re now required to do more work in the same amount of time.
For many, the pressure to perform is not just about achieving results but about proving their
value in an increasingly competitive and demanding workplace.
Economic Turbulence
Economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions have both indirectly fuelled the issue of work intensification by creating an unstable work environment. The global economy is currently experiencing a phase of generally stable but underwhelming growth, with GDP projected to rise by just 3% in both 2025 and 2026, this still falls short of pre-pandemic levels.
Economic fragility creates an atmosphere of caution among employers, who may respond by imposing hiring freezes, delaying investments, or restructuring their operations to cut
costs.
For employees, this unpredictable environment fosters a sense of insecurity where many employees are left feeling compelled to work harder and take on extra responsibilities to safeguard their roles.
Is Resistance Possible?
With so many factors contributing to work intensification, what can organizations do to make
work more manageable for their employees?
To truly address work intensification, organizations must get to the root of why workloads are becoming unmanageable. Has a team member left without being replaced? Are customer demands increasing? Pinpointing the cause is key to finding lasting solutions, as opposed to just masking the effects.
Workload audits offer a structured opportunity for employees to reflect on whether their tasks
are achievable within their contracted hours. They provide a chance for employees to raise concerns when workloads become unmanageable and to set boundaries such as turning down additional tasks, without fear of judgment.
Technology can also play a key role in tackling work intensification. By leveraging the latest
advancements such as AI and automation, organizations can streamline time-consuming, repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value, strategic work.
Not only does this boost productivity and efficiency, but it also helps reduce the likelihood of employees working beyond their contracted hours – a key contributor to rising work intensity and burnout.
Mitigating The Effects on Employees
While addressing the root causes of work intensification is essential, it's equally important for organizations to invest in practical strategies that protect employee wellbeing in the meantime. Here are a few approaches that organizations are beginning to explore to support employees more directly.
For example, some organizations are exploring solutions like the 4-day work week, which gained traction following a successful UK pilot in 2023. The trial saw 71% of participants report reduced burnout and 39% feeling less stressed. While not suitable for every organization, it offers a glimpse into how rethinking the structure of the workweek can positively impact wellbeing.
Others are focusing on wellness policies, encouraging employees to disconnect
outside of working hours — particularly in global teams spread across time zones. Simple strategies like muting notifications or using digital wellness tools such as Opal or AppBlock can help employees create healthier boundaries between work and personal time.
Looking Ahead
Work intensification is not a trend to be brushed aside. For organizations, two key responsibilities emerge. First, they must actively support their employees to promote sustainable productivity. However, alone, this isn’t enough.
More critically, employers need to take a step back and examine the root causes of rising workloads and work intensity. By identifying the key issues, organizations can implement lasting change. Without looking at the bigger picture, any effort to reduce the effects employees face may only serve as a temporary fix.