6 Tips for Telling Your Boss You Have Too Much Work

When arriving in a company, over the course of cumulative responsibilities or during key periods, it is possible that we take on a heavy workload. While some people function more under pressure and enjoy their work more when they are very, or even too, busy, others can quickly feel overwhelmed.

Besides low rewards, lack of fairness between employees, value conflicts or lack of work-life balance, work intensity and organization are among the main risk factors of burnout listed by High health authority. This is why it is imperative to identify work overload and take action to no longer suffer from it.

These Signs You’re Working Too Much

Contrary to what one might believe, work overload is not so easily identifiable. It is possible that tasks and missions have gradually accumulated without us realizing it, that they were entrusted to us on a provisional basis but ended up dragging on or that they were justified by a period which ended up extending.

To put your finger on work overload, there are several signs that should alert you. In an article for ForbesCaroline Castrillon, career coach, has listed signs that should alert you to the amount of work you are absorbing:

• You have difficulty disconnecting from work.
• You are doing the work of several people.
• You work overtime every day.
• You have lost your passion.
• You are easily distracted.
• You are less productive.
• You lack the energy for simple tasks.
• Your health is deteriorating.
• Your personal relationships suffer.
• You constantly procrastinate.

Talk about your work overload

“It is important to break bad habits linked to overwork and strive to create a better work-life balance,” says Monica Vermani, clinical psychologist, for Psychology Today. The first step to getting out of professional overwork is to become aware of this overload. “Be aware that your time and energy resources are limited and that habitually devoting the lion’s share of your limited resources to your professional life has a negative impact on your relationships and your health,” she says.

Jenny Devonshire, coach, and Rob Phelps, founder of a job search platform, provided several tips for Stylist :

• Stop saying yes to everything.
• Consult a colleague to make sure you are overwhelmed.
• Set aside a specific time and be clear about what you want to say, including giving examples, while ensuring the timing is right.
• Propose solutions and be open to suggestions.
• Always follow up with your manager to make sure you are on the same page.
• Try to avoid this happening again in the future.