How to Say No to Your Manager

Is your manager demanding? Does he give you an unfair amount of work? How do you take back control of your work day and maintain a reasonable relationship with your manager? Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Take a little time and reflect on why you think you are getting so many assignments from your manager. Are times tough at the company? Is your team short of people to do all the work?

2. Think about the work you received that you do not like to do. Is there someone else that could help you?

3. Develop a work plan that makes sense to you. Detail the work you are currently doing, how well you're doing that work and how you might be able to help lighten some of the load from your manager.

4. Set up a meeting with your manager. Be sure to let him know why you want to meet.

5. During the meeting, be direct and respectful. Ask your manager why you are getting so much extra work. Ask if the situation is temporary.

6. Discuss the work plan you developed. All the work needs to be done and you and your manager need to agree on how.

7. Should you get any extra time in the future, be sure to approach your manager and offer to help. This will show you are a team player and will put you in better control of your day.

Tips & Warnings

• Be thoughtful and try to understand the situation from your manager's point of view. You don't have to agree, just understand.
• Do your best to keep your emotions in check. The more fact-based the discussion, the more likely it is that you'll reduce your workload.
• Your manager may not accept your plan and just give you more work. In that case, find a new job.