Saying ‘Yes’ at Work Can Become a Heavy Burden

Knowing How to Say ‘No’ is an Essential Skill for Regaining Control

Imagine: your boss asks you for a favour, but you don’t dare say that your to-do list is already overflowing, or your colleague hands you a file due to lack of time. So you accept without question.

Chances are, you’re a people pleaser. At the office, always striving to please may seem like a way of maintaining good working relationships – but accumulating tasks to the detriment of your wellbeing can quickly take its toll on your mental and emotional health, with potentially serious consequences.

A Report on Saying ‘No’ at Work

According to a recent report by Resume Now, 65% of employees claim to be able to set boundaries at work and refuse extra tasks. Young people under 25 are the most likely to do so (77%), followed by men (69%).

On the other hand, 26- to 40 year-olds and women are less at ease when it comes to refusing professional requests. This reticence is explained above all by fear of conflict or rejection: 12% of employees aged 26-40 fear negative repercussions if they dare to refuse extra work.

The Consequences of Not Saying ‘No’

Yet, knowing how to say “no” is not a luxury at work; it’s an essential skill for regaining control of your personal organisation and avoiding becoming overwhelmed by an endless to-do list.

Ultimately, the risk of losing control over your schedule is very real. In fact, 12% of employees admit that work constantly intrudes on their personal or family life, and 52% experience such intrusions on an occasional basis.

Saying ‘No’ to Avoid Burnout

This work overload particularly impacts women, who are more likely than men to experience frustration (43% vs 36%) and difficulty concentrating (41% vs 35%) owing to extra work.

Young people under 25 are not spared: they also report high levels of frustration (38%) and difficulty in managing their responsibilities (38%), while being the most likely to feel guilty when refusing a task (26%).

In the long run, not being able to say “no” to extra work can become a real hazard to health. Indeed, 59% of employees surveyed said they frequently experience burnout due to difficulty saying no, and almost a third (28%) even left a job because of the unbearable stress it caused.

The Benefits of Saying ‘No’

Conversely, learning to say “no” brings a sense of real relief for 42% of working people, and boosts their confidence in prioritising tasks for 31%.

Conclusion

Saying ‘yes’ at work can become a heavy burden, leading to burnout and a lack of control over one’s schedule. It is essential to know how to say ‘no’ in order to regain control of your personal organisation and avoid becoming overwhelmed by an endless to-do list. Employers can play a significant role in promoting a culture that values saying ‘no’ as an act of courage rather than a sign of weakness or insubordination.

FAQs

Q: Why is it important to know how to say ‘no’ at work?

A: Knowing how to say ‘no’ is essential for regaining control of your personal organisation and avoiding becoming overwhelmed by an endless to-do list.

Q: What percentage of employees are able to set boundaries at work and refuse extra tasks?

A: According to a recent report by Resume Now, 65% of employees claim to be able to set boundaries at work and refuse extra tasks.

Q: Who is most likely to fear negative repercussions if they refuse a professional request?

A: Employees aged 26-40 are most likely to fear negative repercussions if they refuse a professional request (12%).

Q: What is the most common fear among employees when it comes to refusing a professional request?

A: Fear of conflict or rejection is the most common fear among employees (12%).

Q: What percentage of employees experience burnout due to difficulty saying no?

A: 59% of employees surveyed said they frequently experience burnout due to difficulty saying no.