- Schedule a meeting with your boss. …
- Prepare what you are going to say. …
- Provide specific examples. …
- Focus on your work experience. …
- Offer thoughtful solutions. …
- Offer to help in smaller ways. …
- Consider your goals. …
- Remain calm.
You feel like you need to tell your boss that you are completely swamped but are afraid that she will think you are weak or that she will write you off for a promotion because you are not up to the task. But if you’re actually overwhelmed because you have too much on your plate and aren’t just being lazy, you might just need to find the right way to bring up the subject.
You won’t win any medals if you keep thrashing around with your head barely above the water’s surface. You might actually do damage to your career. Keep in mind that being overcommitted and dealing with exhaustion can result in careless errors or shortcuts—or even failing to complete a task by the deadline. Give your boss a heads-up instead so you can keep producing the excellent work you prefer to put your name on.
To put it another way, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality in order to maintain an absurd level of output. Don’t make any accusations, just present the situation frankly. Express your concern that your high standards might be compromised due to your overwhelming workload. Make it clear that while you have no problem producing four high-quality projects at once, six is a bit much.
Don’t just say you have too much work. Give concrete examples. Describe how you have been given a number of projects in addition to your normal workload. And how while any one of them would be fine, when you add them all up, it becomes difficult to keep everything in the air. Give an estimation of the total amount of time it would take you to complete each task. Afterward, discuss why it would be impossible to meet all of the deadlines. Tell your employer every time you stayed past your normal bedtime or put in extra time to get the job done.
If there are any general administrative tasks that don’t require your skill set that could be passed along to support staff to free you up to focus on the core of the project, that might be a simple fix, such as staggered deadlines or outsourcing some projects or tasks to other team members. Establish definite priorities to demonstrate your value for the most crucial tasks and your understanding of the significance of completing them to standards.
Soften the blow by focusing on the positive. Say “yes” to what you can do and do it well to start the conversation rather than “no” to everything you can’t. e. , you can complete project X, but additional tasks and projects may force you to give up that crucial project, which you are not willing to do. Instead of using a dejected or frustrated tone, keep it upbeat and use a tone that shows you are committed to the company. And show, above all, your willingness to pitch in.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE OVERWORKED [+ how to tell your boss you have too much work] – Career Advice
When to tell your boss you have too much work
It’s important to acknowledge your workload overload by setting up a meeting with your boss to express your concerns. For instance, if you are in charge of several projects and their deadlines conflict, it might be difficult for you to devote the necessary amount of time and attention to each individual project. You can find ways to complete your work on time and to the best of your ability by telling your boss that you are experiencing these feelings and requesting their support.
Speaking with your boss can help you find ways to lessen your workload and increase your productivity if you have independently tried new time management techniques—such as using weekly planners or to-do lists—and still feel overburdened by the amount of work you have.
How to tell your boss your work is overwhelming
You can take the following actions to inform your boss that you have too much work:
1. Schedule a meeting with your boss
Setting up a time to speak with your boss is the first step in letting them know you have too much work. Setting up a future meeting with your boss gives you time to prepare your response, whether you do it via email or start the conversation in person.
The likelihood that the conversation will take place in private and with few interruptions can also be increased by scheduling a meeting. To find out when your availabilities overlap, think about asking your boss when they will be available next and offering a few time slots that work for you.
2. Prepare what you are going to say
Consider what you will say as you get ready for your meeting with your boss. Start by coming up with questions to ask and making notes about your feelings and the reasons behind them. Identify any work deadlines or projects that feel like too much work for one person and mention them. Make an agenda or outline for yourself so that you can remember key details and talking points.
You can also practice what you’re going to say by telling a close friend or member of your family so they can hear how it sounds out loud. You can determine the specifics you need to cover during your boss meeting by asking their trusted advice.
3. Provide specific examples
Giving specific examples of assignments that feel overwhelming when complaining to your boss about your workload can help direct the conversation. It is crucial to recognize the specific project components, such as deadlines, that are difficult.
Saying that you require assistance because of the time-consuming nature of the research, for instance, if you are in charge of conducting in-depth research for several presentations, can give more context about how you are feeling. Your boss is more likely to help you and offer guidance on how to effectively prioritize your work if you are clear about what you need.
4. Focus on your work experience
If you are feeling overworked, try to concentrate on your unique work experiences rather than comparing your workload to that of your coworkers. Although this initial comparison might make it clear that you have more work than you can handle, it’s also possible that you are unaware of your coworkers’ full workloads and project management strategies. Giving your boss a thorough explanation of your personal experience when speaking with them can help you find the best solutions for your particular problem.
5. Offer thoughtful solutions
Offering solutions when complaining to your boss about having too much work demonstrates that you have thought through how to complete your work as effectively as possible going forward. Prior to your meeting with your boss, come up with a few potential solutions you could bring up.
To reduce the amount of work you have to do, you might, for example, ask if it is possible to collaborate on some projects or assign tasks to other coworkers. Providing well-thought-out solutions demonstrates your capacity to solve problems on your own while also asking for assistance from other sources, like your boss, when required.
6. Offer to help in smaller ways
If you are meeting with your boss to complain about being overworked, you probably already have too many obligations to feel comfortable taking on any more. Making yourself accessible to assist with smaller projects, however, can be beneficial.
For instance, if taking the initiative on a project increases your workload too much, let your boss know that you can serve as a resource for your colleague who does so. By donating your time and skills, you demonstrate both your professionalism and your commitment to working with others to create excellent work.
7. Consider your goals
Before meeting with your boss, think about your objectives and the resources you will need to achieve them. Instead of focusing on how much work you once had, setting professional goals demonstrates your desire to find solutions for the future.
As you look ahead, prioritize your goals to determine how much time you will need to devote to each one individually. You can identify what additional projects are stressing you out by thinking about your goals and allocating enough time to your priorities.
8. Remain calm
It’s helpful to maintain your composure when telling your boss that you feel like you have too much work. To increase your confidence, remember to take deep breaths before speaking and to speak slowly. When speaking with your boss, you can stay on task and advance your meeting agenda by referring to your prepared notes or outline. Maintaining emotional composure and calmly communicating your feelings shows maturity and shows your boss that you are being sincere.
9. Be honest
If you don’t be honest about how you’re feeling, your boss might not be aware that you’re stressed out by your workload. Be open and honest with your boss about anything that is worrying you. Communicating your feelings honestly to your boss is the only way for them to understand how your workload is affecting you, whether you have too many projects overlapping or something stressful in your personal life that is putting pressure on your professional work.
FAQ
Is it OK to tell your boss you’re overwhelmed?
Although talking to your boss about feeling overwhelmed can be intimidating, it’s important to be open and honest about your feelings. Additionally, if you prepare your remarks in advance, you’ll be able to express your concerns without coming across as inattentive or unmotivated.
How do you say my workload is too much?
Try saying something like this: “I’ve been having some trouble keeping up with the amount of things on my plate right now, and was hoping we could talk about my role in [item you’d like to delegate] and [other item], since these things are taking up quite a bit of time.” ”.
How do you say you are overworked?
Instead of just whining, you want to emphasize that you’re feeling a little overburdened. Always be prepared to offer suggestions and ask for your manager’s guidance on how to work more productively, and frame everything you say in a positive light.
What is an unreasonable workload?
Your workload is excessive If, despite your best efforts, you are having trouble finishing your work within the daily and weekly time frames, you are working in a stressful environment.
