Narrative:

I worked with a XA00Z start time. At XC30Z I identified a workload safety issue; where I would have 20-22 flights out at the same time. This is an excessive number of flights to be flight following while also having 4-5 more flight plans to release in the next hour. As the dispatcher I took steps to maintain the safety of the flights under my operational control and I notified the ioc director; sector manager; and chief dispatcher of this workload issue. I spoke with 3 captains on the phone and instructed them to remain at the gate until released for departure due to the pending workload issue. At XD10Z; another dispatcher offered to take some of my flights. I sent him a total of 4 flights; 3 of which I was holding on the ground due to workload issues.at approximately; XD30Z the ioc director on duty; came to my desk to intimidate me about doing the high workload in the future. He stated that it was a VFR day and that no one else ever complains about the workload on this desk. He also stated that he cannot be moving flights off this desk every day. He then proceeded to ask me if I needed 'additional training.' I believe this visit occurred to intimidate me to do the high workload in the future and to not ask for help. I believe [my company] is in violation of crash fire rescue equipment 121.395 at this time and immediate action is needed by the FAA and company management to prevent an aircraft incident or accident. Reduce the number of flights on the dispatch desks.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier Dispatcher identified a workload safety issue; where he would have 20-22 flights out at the same time while also having 4-5 more flight plans to release in the next hour. He elected to hold flights on the ground and was admonished by a supervisor.

Narrative: I worked with a XA00Z start time. At XC30Z I identified a workload safety issue; where I would have 20-22 flights out at the same time. This is an excessive number of flights to be flight following while also having 4-5 more flight plans to release in the next hour. As the Dispatcher I took steps to maintain the safety of the flights under my operational control and I notified the IOC Director; Sector Manager; and Chief Dispatcher of this workload issue. I spoke with 3 Captains on the phone and instructed them to remain at the gate until released for departure due to the pending workload issue. At XD10Z; another Dispatcher offered to take some of my flights. I sent him a total of 4 flights; 3 of which I was holding on the ground due to workload issues.At approximately; XD30Z the IOC Director on Duty; came to my desk to intimidate me about doing the high workload in the future. He stated that it was a VFR day and that no one else ever complains about the workload on this desk. He also stated that he cannot be moving flights off this Desk every day. He then proceeded to ask me if I needed 'additional training.' I believe this visit occurred to intimidate me to do the high workload in the future and to not ask for help. I believe [my company] is in violation of CFR 121.395 at this time and immediate action is needed by the FAA and company Management to prevent an aircraft incident or accident. Reduce the number of flights on the Dispatch Desks.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.