Workload Alert Form
Workload alerts are a tool for health care professionals to communicate that their workload may be affecting patient care.
You have told us that:
o Your workload has increased but staffing levels have remained the same or have declined
o You are expected to work faster o You are responsible for more patients
o You are covering for absent co-workers more often Most of you say you usually or often skip breaks in order to get the work done.
Most of you say you feel rushed because you have too much to do during the day, and that it’s just getting worse. Now’s the time to bring your workload issues to your employer. We have that right.
Your executive want to inform you of a formal reporting method of these kinds of events in the workplace. A workload alert is a means of communication between you and your supervisor/management team to let them know, in a more formal way, that you are concerned about the increased stress due to workloads that you are your co-workers are experiencing.
Workload alerts work for you. They are, however, only a part of a chain of events that need to be followed with your management team to address the issues of increasing demands from you at your workplace. Please review and follow these guidelines when reporting stressful/unsafe working conditions associated with increased work demands.
The link to Workload Alert forms is found at the bottom of this page.
Step 1: Inform your manager:
No workload alert will be filed until your manager has been given the opportunity to rectify the workload issue.
In the event that your manager is successful at resolving the issue, the alert will no longer be required.
If you manager is unable to successfully resolve the issue, a workload alert will be required.
Step 2: Completing the workload alert form:
Section 1 : General Information
Ensure that all demographics are provided (place, day, time etc)
Section 2: Details of Occurrences
It is imperative that a detailed summary outlining the occurrences be provided.
Include all events contributing to the increased workload.
Section 3: Contributing Factors
Indicate all factors which prompted you to file the workload alert form. (Staffing Shortage, Patient/Work Preparation, Patient/Work Volume, Equipment Concerns)
Section 4: This section allows you to signal the urgency and its effect to patient care.
Section 5: Sign the form ensuring you provide your phone number.
Step 3: Filing the Workload Alert Form
Scan your form and email it to the following:
o This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
o your manager
o the union local president at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Step 4: Formal Resolution Meeting
Your site manager must schedule a meeting to discuss possible strategies to meet patient care needs.
In the event your manager fails to meet with you or fails to resolve the alert, a complaint in writing will be submitted to the Vice-President of Operations within 15 calendar days of filing the original complaint. The VP of Operations will be given an additional 15 calendar days to meet with the OPSEU Staff Representative and Local Vice-President to discuss the matter. The Association’s VP of Operation will deliver a written response within 15 calendar days.
“In the event” that the parties meet an impasse, the parties will refer the alert to the Association’s CEO or designate. The CEO or designate will meet with the Union within the 30 calendar days of referral. The CEO will notify the Union of his decision in writing within 15 calendar days.
We appreciate that this process may take time to work through. We also appreciate that you have probably been struggling with the workload and it’s affects for some time before beginning the process. It is a process that will work and the efforts are well worth your health, the health of your co-workers and ultimately our patients.