5 Ways to say "No" to extra work
By PolitePost Team
•
3 min read
Saying "yes" to everything is the fastest way to burn out. But saying "no" feels dangerous. You don't want to look lazy or uncooperative.
The trick isn't to refuse the work; it's to highlight the trade-offs. Here are 5 scripts you can copy right now.
1. The "Priority Check" (Best for Bosses)
Use this when you are already at 100% capacity.
"I would be happy to help with this. Currently, I am focused on [Project A] and [Project B]. If this new task is a higher priority, which of the other two should I pause to accommodate it?"
2. The "Not My Expertise" (Best for Coworkers)
Use this when someone dumps work on you that isn't your job.
"Thanks for thinking of me. I believe [Name/Department] is better equipped to handle this, as it falls outside my current scope. I can send you their contact info if that helps."
3. The "Future Yes" (Soft Decline)
Use this when you want to help, but literally can't right now.
"I am fully booked until [Date]. If this can wait until then, I’d be glad to take a look. Otherwise, I may have to pass this time."
Need a custom refusal?
Every situation is unique. If you have a specific, tricky email you need to decline, paste the request into our AI tool below and select "Firm" tone.