Remember that you don’t owe your job your peace of mind. That might sound blunt, but boundaries matter more than ever, especially when work keeps bleeding into every hour of the day. It doesn’t matter if you’re on-site or remote, knowing what you can say no to can save your energy and sanity. Here are 17 perfectly reasonable things to push back on.
Unpaid Overtime
Your time after hours is your own. When your manager hints at “just one quick thing” after you’ve clocked out, you don’t have to play along. Unpaid labor is still labor, and it adds up fast.
Put it this way, you signed a contract with your employer to sell them your skills and time for a certain amount of money. Whenever they make use of those things without recompense, they are stealing from you. You might say, “It’s just something small. I’ll do it this time”, but be warned after that you will be expected to do more and more.
Working During Your Vacation
If you’re on vacation, you’re not working. Simple. You’re allowed to fully unplug without feeling guilty about unread emails or missed Slack messages. This is your own, hard-earned time which you deserve to spend without seeing anything from work or even thinking about it.
Team Socials Outside Work Hours
Yes, it is sometimes nice to build some camaraderie in the team, but not everyone wants to hang out with colleagues on a Friday night. If after-work drinks or weekend picnics feel more like obligations than fun, it’s okay to opt out.
Tasks Outside Your Job Description
It’s flattering to be seen as dependable. However, being the “go-to” person for everything isn’t sustainable. Constantly being asked to pick up work that isn’t part of your role is not fair and you have every right to push back. Doing someone else’s job on top of your own helps no one in the long run, including you.
Responding Immediately to Every Message
Just because you received a message doesn’t mean you need to reply on the spot. Instant responses can create a harmful precedent where you’re expected to be available at all times, which is not a valid demand for anyone in any situation. It’s fine to take a breather, prioritize, and respond when you’re able and when your workflow can be interrupted.
Being “Always Available” Online
In this age of remote work, that little green dot on Teams has become like a digital leash. Regardless of your position in the company, staying online past your hours or replying late at night shouldn’t be normalized. When your work day is done, clock out. Log off.
Saying Yes to Every Project
Saying yes to everything makes you look agreeable, sure, but it quickly leads to burnout. Although you might not feel comfortable doing so, you’re allowed to say no when your plate is full or when the ask is unreasonable.
Despite what hustle culture bros might try to tell you, taking on too much isn’t a flex. Though it can be a way to get noticed when vying for a promotion, you also run the risk of being the person who gets all the work and none of the appreciation.
Taking Calls During Your Lunch Break
Whether 5 minutes or 30, a break is a break. Studies have shown that taking the time to fully disengage from a task is essential to focusing well and being productive. Even small things that prevent this process can make you feel like you’ve never had a chance to rest. You’re allowed to be unavailable, and no one should expect you to chew while discussing project updates.
Attending Meetings Without Purpose
If the meeting could’ve been an email, you don’t have to sit in silence just to prove you’re a team player. It’s okay to ask why you’re needed or suggest other ways to communicate. Pointless meetings occurring on a regular basis aren’t helpful, so be sure to address this openly.
Training New Hires Without Support
Mentorship is great when it’s recognized and rewarded. But when you’re expected to train new people without guidance or compensation? Well, that’s not so great. The onboarding process can take time and often requires specific authority, which can make it challenging to take on when it’s not supposed to be part of your duties.
Sharing Personal Information
Just because someone asks doesn’t mean you have to answer. All too often, especially in jobs that insist they are a “family,” there can be a kind of obligation to get to know one another. You don’t have to do this, if you don’t want to. It’s perfectly fine to keep your personal and professional lives separate.
Working Through Illness
Although your manager might commend you for it, you are not heroic for dragging yourself through meetings while sick. In fact, sick leave is there exactly so that we don’t have to do this anymore. Don’t let anyone gaslight you into thinking your symptoms aren’t bad enough to be off work and prioritize your health.
Saying Yes Just to “Be Nice”
People-pleasing at work can quietly ruin your mental health. Saying yes out of guilt, fear, or pressure chips away at your time and energy. Of course, this doesn’t come easy to everyone and may take practice, but it can be very helpful to learn to say “no” politely and firmly.
Using Personal Devices for Work
If your job doesn’t provide a phone or laptop, you don’t have to use your own. Blurring the line between work and personal tech puts your data and privacy at risk, especially with the amount of companies that install screen and key monitoring software.
Being Involved in Office Politics
You’re allowed to keep your head down. Office politics and drama is unconducive to a healthy work environment, with many people spending far more time on gossip than getting on with it. You certainly don’t need to be involved, and chances are it’s better if you aren’t.
Accepting Poor Feedback
Feedback should be helpful, not hostile, designed to aid improvements. Constructive feedback helps you grow, while poor feedback just tears you down with little explanation. Only a poor supervisor gives bad feedback, and the correct response is to push them for something more helpful.
Keeping the Peace at Your Expense
You’re not at work to absorb every bad mood, unrealistic deadline, or micromanaging impulse. There is a balancing act involved, where on the one hand it’s best to keep your head down, and on the other to speak up when certain lines are crossed. Once you find the right combination, you’ll feel your work life becomes more peaceful without having to compromise on your own inner calm.
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