How to Tell Someone that You Have Your Own Work to Do

Emails / By

If you are asked to complete work that isn’t a part of your normal workload, begin with a short and direct refusal that remains polite. Remind the asker that you have work of your own to complete and that you do not have room in your schedule for more. If they continue to ask, insist on adequate compensation.

Here’s how to tell someone that you have your own work to do politely.

How to Tell Someone that You Have Your Own Work to Do

When you are initially asked to take on more work but know that you can’t do that and complete your own work at the same time, it’s going to be important to emphasize that you are prioritizing the job you were hired to do.

So, begin by thanking the asker for considering you to take on this work. Acknowledge that it’s important and that it needs to be done, then move into explaining why you personally cannot be the one to complete the project. Give short, simple answers here, and perhaps suggest an alternate solution.

If the asker insists that you be the one to complete the work, even after receiving your denial, then you should let them know that you will require additional compensation to complete the workloads of two people rather than just your own. You may ask that your current workload be reassigned or that you receive a bonus in pay to cover the additional hours of work.

If they do not want to offer this additional compensation, then simply offer another polite refusal and let them know that you will not be completing the additional work. While this does seem curt, it’s important to remember that it’s not your responsibility to take on work outside of your normal range.

Email Templates to Say You Have Your Own Work to Do

Let’s see what this kind of email would look like in practice. Feel free to adjust the text to match your situation.

SUBJECT: Regarding New Responsibilities Proposed

Hello [Name],

I appreciate your reaching out to me regarding an offer to take up new responsibilities including [Description]. While I’m flattered that you would consider me to complete the work, I am unable to fit the extra projects into my current schedule. Instead, I would suggest [Alternate Arrangement].

Thank you again.

Regards,

[Name]

Here is what you might say if they continue to ask you to take on new responsibilities.

SUBJECT: RE: Regarding New Responsibilities Proposed

Hello [Name],

In reviewing your continued request that I perform these new responsibilities, I must ask that I be compensated appropriately for doing so. As mentioned, I do not have time in my current schedule to complete both these projects and my own.

So, I would ask that either my current workload be delegated to another team member temporarily while I complete these new tasks, or that my pay be increased temporarily to reflect the extended hours necessary to complete this project.

I would be happy to discuss this via [Method] during [Availability].

Regards,

[Name]

If all else fails, you may use this template.

SUBJECT: RE: Regarding New Responsibilities Proposed

Hello [Name],

I understand your denial of my compensation request and hope that you will thus understand my continued denial to add to my current workload. I wish you luck in your search to find a suitable candidate to take on these responsibilities.

Regards,

[Name]

 

Conor
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