Demands & Pressures

in Workplace Systems

Demands & Pressures [PDF 210 KB]

Workplace systems are dynamic settings that are constantly exposed
to internal and external demands and resulting pressures.
The image below illustrates some examples of demands and pressures that can influence a workplace system:

Is Your Workplace Facing Uncontrolled Pressures?

If any of the following warning signs exist within your workplace it’s time to take action:

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Not enough time/resources assigned to an activity

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Excessive budgetary constraints

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Leaders are less strict about adherence to procedures when work falls behind schedule

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Frequent project overruns

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Slow and gradual degradation in safety margins

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Rewards and incentives are based on production outcomes

 

Demands are constantly changing within a workplace system; individuals and teams should aim to continuously adapt and adjust to new emerging demands, particularly when resources and constraints remain static.

A workplace system is at risk when short term demands take away attention and dilute focus on long term goals and objectives. For example, production pressure arises when leadership overly values production by emphasizing the meeting of work demands, schedule, or budget, rather than focusing on working safely.

Internal Demands and Pressures:

  • Shifting priorities
  • Unclear expectations
  • Budgets

The Workplace System

Blue, orange and green circles intersecting inside a large white circle. In the center of the blue circle is a small white circle in which we can see the icon of a building. In the center of the orange circle appears a small white circle with the icon of a power symbol inside. In the white circle inside the green circle are the silhouettes of three people. Two white arrows point to the middle of the large white circle.

External Demands and Pressures:

  • Global markets
  • Stakeholder decisions
  • Government policies
  • Regulatory activities
  • Societal expectations

Demands are constantly changing within a workplace system; individuals and teams should aim to continuously adapt and adjust to new emerging demands, particularly when resources and constraints remain static.

A workplace system is at risk when short term demands take away attention and dilute focus on long term goals and objectives. For example, production pressure arises when leadership overly values production by emphasizing the meeting of work demands, schedule, or budget, rather than focusing on working safely.

Graphic showing link between safety and production

Description

Production Pressure = imbalance between production and safety.

Safety
(Long Term Goal)

Production
(Short Term Demand)

To identify demands and pressures in a workplace system, consider observing and analyzing the types, origins, and frequency of demands that are straining the workplace system and how the system adapts and adjusts over time. To aid in detection of production pressure within your organization examples can be found in the leftmost column of this page.

Reflective Questions:

  1. In your workplace:
    1. What types of internal demands and resulting pressures have you experienced?
    2. What types of demands and resulting pressures have you experienced from external sources?
    3. How did these demands and pressures impact your work?
    4. What were some actions taken to address these demands and pressures?
 

For more information on systems thinking and performance influencing factors see Canadian Standard Association. (2022). Human and organizational factors for optimal pipeline performance (CSA Express Document No. 16:22).

For more learning resources on Human and Organizational Factors and Safety Culture visit the CER’s Safety Culture Learning Portal.

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