Behavior Analyst & Trainee Workloads: Baseline Reports, Ethical Implications, and Practical Solutions

Abstract Workload (e.g., direct client responsibilities, supervision, administration, and travel) within applied behavior analysis-based service provision may pose significant challenges for behavior analysts and trainees. Intensive workloads may result in overwork and related ethical issues, such as service and supervision quality issues, personal health issues, and availability of behavior analysts (e.g., absenteeism, turnover, and attrition). This survey of behavior analysts and trainees ( N = 322) indicated that the average workload exceeded average employee expected workweek hours and recommended client assignments. Behavior analysts’ and trainees’ job responsibilities included many responsibilities beyond client services (e.g., supervision, administration, and travel). Many of these activities remained uncompensated. Respondents reported high levels of work and personal life stressors related to their workload. Owing to the multitude of possible ethical issues related to these workload factors, individuals, organizations, and the field of applied behavior analysis must continue to evaluate these workload variables and enact prevention, assessment, and intervention steps to mitigate overwork for the benefit of the profession and its clients.