Overlabor

To burden someone or something with an excessive amount of work or effort; to cause someone to work excessively hard. It implies a situation where the intensity or duration of labor is beyond what is reasonable, sustainable, or beneficial, often leading to exhaustion, strain, or diminished returns. This can apply to physical, mental, or even creative endeavors. The term suggests a lack of balance and potential negative consequences resulting from the excessive exertion involved, either for an individual, a group or process. The impact of overlaboring can include decreased efficiency, health problems, and burnout. It highlights the importance of setting realistic goals and working in a sustainable way. This concept emphasizes the need to avoid pushing boundaries to such extremes that productivity is reduced rather than expanded.

Overlabor meaning with examples

• The factory owner was accused of overlaboring his workforce by expecting them to work twelve-hour shifts, seven days a week. This led to a high rate of employee turnover and reduced output, as the workers were exhausted and demoralized. The situation resulted in a public investigation regarding labor practices.
• The project manager, driven by ambition, overlabored the development team by demanding unrealistic deadlines. This resulted in frequent all-nighters and the introduction of bugs. While the product was launched on time, quality suffered, and team morale plummeted. The strategy was deemed unsustainable.
• In an effort to boost sales, the marketing department overlabored the sales team with unnecessary meetings and reporting requirements. This decreased the time available for actual sales calls, ultimately reducing the team's effectiveness and hindering the company's goal of profit.
• During the art competition, many contestants overlabored their pieces, trying to include every technique imaginable, which made them dense and unfocused, instead of refined, well-balanced, and creative. The resulting outcome lacked the desired effect.
• The coach noticed that the athletes were overlaboring during their training sessions, pushing themselves beyond their physical limits. He had to intervene, implementing a more balanced approach to prevent injuries and maximize their long-term performance potential. The team needed to take a step back.