Addressing excessive workload in the warehouse sub-section of outbound logistics in warehouse north department

In this action research, we intended to address the issue on excessive workload in the warehouse sub-section of outbound logistics in warehouse north department. We applied workforce capacity planning as an intervention in addressing the above-mentioned issue and attaining effective workload management. Guided by the Job Demands-Resources Model and Gap Analysis, our team (Management Committee) came up with a customized workforce capacity plan to measure, analyze, track and apply suitable solution on workload challenges. The said intervention aims to avoid going beyond the employee’s workload capacity, as this may cause burnout resulting in detrimental performance of the employee, department and the company. With the use of workforce capacity plan, heads can make data-informed decisions, improve control of labor costs, and increase the overall operational efficiency of the department. Further, we also employed the ADKAR model to implement change. As an insider action researcher and a catalyst for positive change, it is imperative that I build awareness of the need to change and elicit the benefits of our proposed change in attaining successful implementation of our planned change. The individuals affected by the change completely grasped our team’s desire and they were cooperative towards achieving our goals. Moreover, throughout this action research study, we identified key elements in achieving effective workload management and these are having a common goal, using data-driven approach, practicing employee involvement and understating things in a holistic view. Using our applied intervention and the above-mentioned key elements, our organization recognized that when our workforce are in a state of wellbeing at work, they produce high quality output, they are cooperative, they build positive relationships with others, and most importantly, they make meaningful contributions to the company