Lu Pillar: Design Sustainable Work
Toolbox time: About 5 minutes
Use this if: Extra or urgent work keeps getting added without anything else changing.
THE POINT
When new work comes in, decide what changes at the same time.
Something stops. Something moves. Something changes. Or you get more help.
If nobody makes that call, the crew is left to decide this on their own and you might not like it.
WHAT IT CAN LOOK LIKE
An urgent job gets added halfway through the shift, but the original plan stays the same.
“Can you squeeze this in?” happens most days.
People rush or cut back on checking to catch up.
Another job quietly falls behind.
The same people keep staying back to finish everything.
You find out late that work you thought was on track has moved.
Something still gives. You just lose control of what it is.
TALK ABOUT IT
When extra work comes in, ask: “If we add this, what has to change?”
Then ask the people doing the work: “You’re closer to the job. What am I missing?”
Get the information from the crew before making the call.
USE THESE WORDS
With the crew:
“We’ve been asked to add [new job]. From what I can see, we could move [job], do less of [job] or get [support]. You’re closer to the work. What am I missing, and what would you recommend?”
You are still responsible for deciding what happens next.
When the work is coming from above you:
“We can do it. The crew is already working on [current work]. To get this done by [time], something else needs to move, reduce or stop. My recommendation is [option]. What takes priority?”
If the answer is still to do everything:
“With the work we already have, that puts [deadline, quality, safety or workload] at risk. Which should take priority?”
DO THIS
The next time new work comes in, don’t just pass it straight on. Decide what changes first.
CHECK NEXT TIME
Keep count for the next week:
Extra jobs added: ___
Times another job was moved, changed or stopped: ___
If work keeps being added and nothing changes, raise it. Ongoing high workload can become a health and safety issue. If this keeps happening, raise it through your workplace health and safety process.
NEED MORE SUPPORT?
Lu offers two next step options.
Run It gives your crew practical tools to work through the issue.
Embed It provides independent support to understand what is driving the problem, tailor the response and help the change stick.
