ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the multifaceted and amorphous nature of modern-day jobs contributes to employee cognitive overload. It provides empirical evidence from multiple sources indicating that employee cognitive overload is causing alarming levels of psychological distress and related health problems. The chapter describes the competitive landscape of organizations and contend that traditional ways in which companies compete are inadequately equipped to tackle employee cognitive overload. It reviews evidence from multiple sources, indicating that employee cognitive overload across professions appears to be causing alarming levels of psychological distress and related health problems. Employee cognitive overload causes psychological distress, which leads to health issues and performance impairments. Employee cognitive overload is not limited to a few high-stress industries. Moderate-to-serious impairments in work functioning caused by psychological distress have been reported across occupations including arts, construction, entertainment, entrepreneurship, management, military, maintenance services, sports, and trucking.
