7 Times You Should Say No At Work

One thing is clear, many people find it hard to say no at work, and for obvious reasons too. No one wants to get into that mess where their boss puts them on the defaulters list for no reason and they become his direct target every single day.

But there are times to say no at work, especially when it can’t be avoided. We as human beings have a capacity we can handle. And no matter how we try to please the people around us, we can’t always have the energy to do so.

In this article, we look at why it is difficult to say no at work, the times to say no at work, and if it is okay saying no at work.

Why is it difficult to say no at work?

People often ask if it is okay saying no at work, and the clear answer is, yes, it is. But why do we often see it as a big deal? The truth of the matter is we have all been pushed to this place where we have no option but to always say “yes,” even when we don’t want to. And for some of us, we are just better seen as people-pleasers than people who can’t help others at all. Saying no at work is difficult because we do not want to disappoint our bosses and colleagues, and we don’t want to seem like the lazy type either.

When should we say “no” at work?

While you might have the ability to say “yes”, there are also times to say “no” at work. However, it takes practice to actually become grounded in declining to do things you can’t handle. So when it is okay to actually say “no” at work:

1. 1. When you have a lot of work to do. One of the times when you should say no at work is when you have so much on your plate that there is no room to take on other tasks. We all have that employee who always comes to us for assistance with their tasks. It’s okay to analyze yourself and see if there’s room for you to help them. If there are none, kindly inform them that you can’t help and maybe suggest another colleague who might be free.
   2. When you have a deadline. One of the times to say no at work is when deadlines are pressing in. It’s quite sad that people still accept to do more work when they are aware that their deadlines are fast approaching. You should say no to both your boss and colleagues when you have a lot of work to complete within a short timeframe.
   3. When you are taken advantage of. This one has happened to some of us to the extent that we never noticed. I remember working with a colleague who would always give me their tasks to do and make up a flimsy excuse. I would notice how free they became (laughing, eating, and relaxing) while I was very occupied doing the hard work. If you are like me, then it’s time to kindly say no at work to that colleague of yours.
   4. When you are on vacation. Another time to say no at work is when you are away from the office. Your leave is the best time for you to shut down any work interactions with your colleagues and bosses. They’ll need to accept and respect that you are away from the office and won’t be tending to any office matters during that time. You can set up an “Out-Of-Office” email that informs them of your leave and directs them to communicate with someone else while you’re away.
   5. When you are asked for something outside your values. Sometimes people lead us to places we shouldn’t go, and standing firm is what matters in those situations. Whether it’s your boss or a colleague asking you to do something illegal, you’ll have to say no to them. Avoid getting into trouble because you always want to be the yes-man.
   6. When your boundaries are concerned. Another time to say no is when your boundaries are involved. You should be ready to decline anything that could affect your work performance and well-being. For example, do not compromise your boundaries by not answering any work calls or texts after 7 p.m. because you don’t want to disappoint your boss or colleagues.
   7. When you are ill. One of the times to say no at work is when you are sick. You can simply inform your colleagues that you are unavailable to attend to their messages and requests because you are unwell.

Is it okay saying no at work?

Yes, it is okay to say no to your bosses and colleagues, and you shouldn’t beat yourself over that. However, you should ensure that you consider all factors, like if you are free to help a colleague out and stuff like that.

Conclusion

We need to learn to say no at work because it is the only way to get things done effectively without compromising the quality of the work.

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