If you're trying to make a name for yourself at your place of employment to gain more experience or get a promotion, you may be wondering if you should say "no" when your boss asks you to perform extra work. Going above and beyond isn't a bad thing, but you want to establish boundaries. After all, no one wants to be the office doormat or add extra stress to their life.
Saying no to extra work shouldn't reflect badly on you if you're tactful. You should always be positive and thankful for the opportunity, even if you have to decline. You don't want to come across as impolite or too rigid. You always want your boss to view you as a dedicated employee who values you job.
Workload Overload
Even if you actually like the task your boss wants you to perform because it gives you more experience or advances your skills, it's still possible for the workload to be too much. Or, there might be times when you just don't want to do the job. Either way, let your supervisor know about your current schedule and all the projects and tasks you're working on for the company. Let him decide if some of your current tasks can be put on hold while you work on a looming project. It's also possible that your boss might not even realize how much work you actually do. In this case, your boss might apologize and delegate the task to someone else. You can also tell your boss you'd be happy to take a look at the extra work again when your schedule frees up a bit.
An Alternative Means
If you can't or don't want to take on the extra work, consider offering your supervisor some other options for getting the work done. Maybe the task or project can be broken up into separate segments and divided among all members of the team. There might be some parts of the task that are more important than others and need timely completion. It's possible you don't have the necessary skills to take on the project but know someone else in the office who does and is looking for a way to stand out. Getting recognition is extremely validating and can also lead to more growth opportunities. Ask that person if it's okay for you to mention his name to the boss. Your co-worker may be extremely appreciative of the extra work and willing to return the favor if he knows of any skill-building opportunities you would gladly accept.
Taking on extra work under duress can have negative consequences for your physical and emotional well-being and your productivity at work. Your once-stellar performance could be overshadowed by missed deadlines and shoddy paperwork. Saying no to your boss takes courage, but it doesn't have to be a deal breaker.
Photo courtesy of marcolm at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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