Are the employees really overwhelmed–or have they figured out how to “snooker” the boss into getting more help when it’s really not needed?

At my job, whenever an employee seems to be overwhelmed or under a great deal of stress, the manager sends in other people to help out and/or give the person an extended break. *Why is it allowed to get to this situation? Are the employees really overwhelmed–or have they figured out how to “snooker” the boss into getting more help when it’s really not needed?