We’ve all been there; your workload is already stacked to the ceiling, and your boss comes in and wants just a little more out of you. The resulting tinge of anger, frustration, and resentment is only tempered by the fear of losing your job, or at the very least, losing favor in your boss’ eyes.
So you cave. You agree to take on that extra project, stay a few more hours, or come in on Saturday.
But if you’re already stretched beyond thin, or you have personal commitments that take precedence, having the guts to take a stand against that work is vital. The question is, how do you say no without serious repercussions?
Let’s look at some ways to do so.
First, weigh the decision carefully. If you say no to this request, will it have a major effect on the company or project? Will you leave your boss in a lurch? Does he or she have other ways of getting the project completed? Look at the situation from your boss’ angle – figure out answers before hand to make sure that his/her needs are being met. If you can sit down and calmly discuss why you need to say no, but ensure that the work itself won’t suffer, your boss will be much more likely to empathize because his/her needs are being met.
Also, if your boss picked you for a particular reason, as in you are indeed the best person for the job, you might want to consider moving some other projects around. If you can postpone next week’s report in order to take on and complete this particular project now, look at juggling and rearranging things in order to get this done. You may not want to pass up this particular opportunity, especially if it will help you advance or make you more money. But you may not need to put in the extra time – just use some creative problem solving in order to get it done.
Again, the key here is communication. Avoid using phrases such as “I don’t think” or “I don’t want to do this.” Unless the issue is being emotionally overwhelmed by all the work, try to keep emotions out of it. Present as many facts as you can – “I have worked 80 hours this week without a break, and the quality of my work is really starting to suffer.”
Present pros and cons, showing that you’ve weighed all sides. Show your empathy to your boss: “I’ve thought a lot about this, because this is an important project to the company, and me especially. I’ve thought of some other, equally effective ways of making sure the project gets completed.”
Saying no can be very difficult, and different bosses will respond according to their own style. If you’re working for a tyrant, then this particular style of communication is less likely to be effective. But it’s still worth a shot. Consider all the factors, and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Just remember that doing so doesn’t have to be the same as standing up to a school bully; just be willing to present your case calmly, and full of facts and constructive answers to the situation. Your boss has an objective – to get the work done. Maybe you can help find a way to make that happen and still get what you need out of the situation.