Is my unsustainable workload a sign that I'm doing well at work and that they know I can handle it? Or is it a sign that they want me to leave and want to try and force me out? How can I tell the difference?

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Honestly it is really hard to say because so many companies have unsustainable workloads right now. Most places expect you to do the work of 2-3 people so that they don't have to hire anyone else. It really could be either of those things.

I know SO MANY people that seem to just be swamped here lately. It is getting out of hand.

I think they key is to look at the company as a whole. Are you the only one overworked or does this seem to be the trend? It's one thing if the workload is dumped on you while everyone else is relaxed and another when it's a group effort to rise above together.

I definitely feel like I'm getting it the worst right now but a lot of people are definitely struggling here lately.

I'd assume it's because you're doing well. In my experience, if a company wants you gone, they're not going to waste time hoping you'll come to the same conclusion yourself. They're just going to let you go and move on.

Fair. We've definitely put people on a PIP and gotten rid of them so I guess that is probably how'd they send me out if they really wanted me gone.

It's hard to read a lot into these things. But my guess is that your bosses must think you can handle it. I'm assuming your work product has to meet quality standards. So it seems unlikely your bosses would set you up to fail and would burden you to the point where you're producing poor work.

Fair point. I think sometimes I just get in my head.

There’s always Option 3:

They neither know nor care how much you can handle and are just blindly dumping work on their employees until something breaks.

This is probably the case. And to that I say... let it break.

smart

The nature of work should tell you. Is the added work across new clients/expands on your skills/feels like next-level responsibility? Basically, if it feels like you’re getting more critical and/or integral projects to the clients/leadership/firm, it means “you can handle it so we’re leaning on you”..

If it feels like grunt work, monotonous work, super admin stuff, where end product has low value to clients/your team or group/firm leadership.. basically b!$&h work.. could be a sign they want you to leave.

I feel like they've given me more responsibility which is positive and am trusting me to do more... but without the junior level support needed that I can delegate to.

UPDATE: Got some updates at work this week that basically told me its they have faith in me so that is positive.

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