How to Say No to Your Boss

Imagine: It's 4:45 p.m. on a Friday and your boss comes in to announce a last-minute project for you that needs to be done by Monday morning. It's not the first time this has happened, but it may be the last if you set ground rules for yourself and be clear about your professional needs. You already know why you shouldn't be taking on yet another project; now it's time to make that (tactfully) clear to your boss.

Evaluate Your Boss(es)

Consider assessing your boss situation. Do you have a laid-back supervisor or a high-strung warden? Might you have a much easier time speaking to the less militant of the two? Once you've determined which options you have, look for common ground. Does your boss make plenty of room in his or her schedule for the family, too? If your boss can relate to your reasons for declining an additional project, there may be less of a chance for resentment or negative attitudes.

Don't Say

When your boss asks you to add another project to your already unbearable load or insists you work late to finish something better suited for your co-worker, avoid saying "no" or "I can't." Instead, try to explain why taking on that project may hurt your performance on other projects, or consider telling her that you've already worked several late nights and are due for much-needed family time. It's important to be as thorough as possible in your explanations so your boss knows you've considered it carefully and are simply unable to complete the request.

Reasons to Avoid

You likely have plenty of solid reasons for refusing your boss, but try to avoid excuses like "it looks too difficult" or "it's not in my job description." If your boss thinks you just don't want to try or are feeling indignant, not only could you still be stuck with the project, you may also have some hard feelings on your hands.

Assert Your Autonomy

Saying no to your boss isn't just about preserving your personal or family life--it's also about avoiding that dangerous role as your boss's "Yes Woman." It's important to establish clear boundaries about your professional needs and workload threshold. Your boss will get to know your capabilities as well as your obligations outside of the workplace and may respect you more for standing your ground.