How to politely decline extra work 🫸-
Introduction 👋
At work there can often be a lot of pressure to take on extra work. ⚙️
When your employer pays for your time, you can often be asked to take on more work than you can fit into your working hours. ⌚
So how do you explain that you’re too busy, and push back when someone asks you to take on extra work? 🫸
Here’s our ultimate step-by-step guide to responding to requests for extra work.
Examples of how to say no to extra work 💬
Sometimes, the hardest part of declining extra work is finding the right words.
Here are some simple and polite phrases you can use in different situations:
General responses 🔊
- “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m at capacity right now and can’t take on anything extra.”
- “I’d love to help, but I’m fully booked with my current workload.”
- “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to take this on as I’m already committed to other priorities.”
- “I appreciate you asking, but I can’t commit to this at the moment.”
If it’s outside your job role 💼
- “This falls outside my usual responsibilities. Have you checked with [other person/team]?”
- “This isn’t something I have the expertise to handle. Perhaps [name] could assist?”
- “I don’t think I’m the right person for this task, but I can help you find someone who is.”
Suggesting alternatives 🔀
- “I can’t take on the whole task, but I’m happy to assist in a smaller way, like [specific action].”
- “I can’t do this right now, but would it help if I looked at it next week instead?”
- “I’m unable to take this on, but maybe we can revisit it after my current projects are complete?”
Setting clear boundaries 🧱
- “I’ve got a lot on at the moment and need to stick to my planned tasks.”
- “Taking on this extra work would affect the quality of what I’m currently working on, so I’ll have to pass.”
- “I’m focusing on my priorities right now, so I’m not able to add anything new to my plate.”
- “I appreciate the opportunity, but I need to decline as I can’t give it the attention it deserves.”
- “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help with this. Thank you for understanding.”
When you’ve got other commitments 🔒
- “I’m focusing on [specific task or project] right now, so I can’t commit to anything extra.”
- “To ensure I meet my current deadlines, I’ll have to decline this time.”
Keeping the door open for future work🚪
- “While I can’t take this on right now, I’d be happy to assist with similar tasks in the future.”
- “This isn’t something I can help with at the moment, but please keep me in mind for other opportunities.”
How to politely decline extra work 🫸
1. Acknowledge the request ✅
When someone asks you to take on additional work, start by showing appreciation for their confidence in you. 🙏
If someone’s asking you for help, it can show that they trust you and value the quality of your work. 🌟
Acknowledging the request shows respect to the other person, and prevents your response from seeming rude or dismissive.
For example, you could say thinks like:
- “I appreciate that you trust me with this task.”
- “Thank you for thinking of me for this.”
2. Be honest and direct 🎯
It’s better to be clear about your limits than to accept work you can’t handle.
So that the other person can understand why you’re saying no, explain your current commitments in a straightforward yet polite manner. 🫴
You could say something like:
- “I want to make sure I deliver quality work, and I’m afraid taking this on might compromise that.”
- “I’m currently at capacity with my workload, so I won’t be able to take this on right now.”
3. Offer an alternative 🫴
If possible, suggest another solution or person who might be able to help. This shows that you’re still invested in solving the problem, even if you can’t take it on yourself. 🤝
You could say something like:
- “Would it be possible to postpone this task until I have more availability?”
- “I’m unable to assist at the moment, but perhaps [Colleague’s Name] could help?”
4. Use positive language ☀️
Framing your refusal in a positive way can soften the impact of your response. Focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. 🤝
You could say something like:
- “I’m unable to help with this right now, but I can dedicate time to similar tasks next month.”
- “While I can’t take on this project, I’d be happy to review it once it’s completed.”
5. Stay firm but courteous 🤝
Some people may push back when you decline their request. It’s important to remain polite but firm in your decision if you are certain it isn’t work that you should do. Reiterate your reasons if necessary, and avoid being pressured into saying yes. 🔁
You could respond with:
- “I’d love to help, but my current commitments don’t allow me to give this task the attention it deserves.”
- “I understand this is important, but unfortunately, I can’t take on additional work at this time.”
6. Practice saying no 🙅♀️
Turning down extra work can feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you’re used to saying yes.
Practising how you decline requests will help you feel more confident and natural when the time comes. 🪞
Conclusion 👍
Declining extra work isn’t about being unhelpful – it’s about recognising your limits and ensuring you can deliver quality in the work you’ve already committed to. 🧱
By being polite, honest, and proactive in your response, you can maintain strong professional relationships while protecting your own well-being. 🤝
So that’s it!
To politely decline extra work, you should:
- Acknowledge the request ✅
- Be honest and direct 🎯
- Offer an alternative 🫴
- Use positive language ☀️
- Stay firm but courteous 🤝
- Practice saying no 🙅♀️
Hopefully this article has helped you to understand different ways to politely decline extra work.
If you know any friends or family members who struggle with saying no to extra work, share this post with them!
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