How to tell your boss you have too much work

Published on

In our management sessions, we often explore how to respond to an employee who says they have too much work, and the employer's duty of care in relation to preventing work-related stress.

This article looks at managing a heavy workload from the employee's perspective, and provides some helpful tips and suggestions on what to do if you feel you have too much work.

-Seek advice from your manager or a coworker on ways to decrease the amount of time you spend on certain assignments.-Be upfront about asking if priorities can be shifted or trade-offs can be made.-Show a willingness to pitch in by inquiring if there are small ways you can be helpful to colleagues and projects.

Related Articles

Do wellbeing initiatives make a difference?

Rachael outlines an optimal two-pronged approach to wellbeing: balancing proactive initiatives on a bedrock of positive culture and structure.

Avoidance and ignorance: Mid-life women and the menopause at work

Our expert explains why workplaces are failing this crucial demographic, and how people can speak up if they need to.

The bottom of the pile

Tips for ensuring you are no longer putting your wellbeing at the bottom of the pile.

People Management: HR must protect workplace investigators from the threat of vicarious trauma

Head of Resolution Zoe Wigan shares how to recognise and mitigate this risk for investigators of distressing subject matter.

Personnel Today: Six ways to kickstart conversations about team stress at work

Rachael Forsberg shares six steps for workplaces properly discussing team stress, as a crucial first step in tackling it.

Reworked: The 3 Best Ways to Invest in Employee Mental Health and Well-Being

Investing in wellbeing can boost both productivity and profitability. Where should leaders begin? Mark O'Grady shares three key focus areas for workplace leaders in his latest piece for Reworked.