When you take pride in your work and your ability to “handle it all,” it’s not easy to admit when you’re feeling overworked. Sometimes you may even wonder if you are actually overworked or whether you’re just being whiny.
The fact is, if you’re feeling overworked, you should speak up for yourself. That way, you and your boss can figure out a way to solve the problem together.
Below you’ll find a sample email to boss about workload that you can customize to your needs. This sample letter about workload will ensure that you communicate what’s going on without sounding whiny.
Sample Email to Boss About Workload
There are three sample emails below for what to do when your workload is unmanageable. How to tell your boss you have too much work examples:
1) Dear [Boss]:
Since beginning here, I have found that my scope of work is getting larger and larger. It’s come to a point where I am feeling that I am overworked. I enjoy my job and want to do a good job. However, that is becoming increasingly hard due to my workload. Can we meet soon to discuss possible solutions?
2) Dear [Boss]:
I would like to discuss an ongoing problem that I have been dealing with. For some time, I have experienced an increased workload in addition to my normal duties. While I am happy to be a team player and take on extra work as needed on a temporary basis, this situation is different.
My existing workload is not decreasing when business slows down. Instead, it is steadily increasing to the point where I can’t give my full attention to each task. I would like to meet with you soon to discuss some ideas I’ve come up with to resolve the problem. May we schedule a time soon?
3) Dear [Boss]:
A situation has developed that I need to bring to your attention. In recent months, my workload has increased to unprecedented levels. Because of the extra work, I no longer feel that I can expertly perform my original job duties. I have given a lot of thought to the situation and come up with some possible options moving forward.
I would like to schedule a time with you to discuss my ideas and to get your perspective. Please message me with a date and time for us to discuss in person.
As you can see in each of these three sample emails, the tone is not whiny, but professional and objective. They each briefly outline the problem without overt complaints or judgments about other people’s workload or whether the boss is the one handing out too much work.
Employees who complain about workload need to do so in a non-judgmental manner so they don’t come off as whiny or unprofessional.
Even if it is true that there is unfair workload distribution, it has to be presented in a way that makes you look like a professional.
Complaining is expressing unhappiness without a solution. When you express a problem as genuine and manageable, you are no longer griping; you are problem-solving. You are talking to your employer about improving your job product.
Present Your Case
Communicating with your boss when you’re overworked may be intimidating, but it’s necessary to make sure that you get the help you need. Your manager wants you to do your best, and he or she may not realize that you’re feeling overworked. By communicating the problem, you can make your workload more manageable.
After you send your customized sample email to boss about workload, you may want to ask your boss about delegating tasks, updating your job title, or modifying your pay structure.
You may also want to inquire about collaborative projects. These are great opportunities to make sure that your work is delivering the right results. If you have multiple projects, it can be difficult to keep up with each one. Asking for additional support may save you more time.
You can start your email by taking a step back and examining why you’re overworked. You may want to take time to write down what you’re doing outside of work hours.
You may also want to track how much time you spend on each task. This will help you see what’s time-consuming and what’s not. You can also write down notes about your feelings and what’s keeping you from finishing the tasks on your to-do list.
When you communicate your problems with your boss about being overworked, you should explain the impact your workload is having on your work. You should also explain your priorities and discuss how you can reduce your workload. This will help you appear professional and capable. You should also mention the deadlines and projects that seem to be adding to your workload.
You may also want to mention that you are experiencing burnout. This can be a sign that you’re spending too much time on simple tasks that aren’t necessary for your job. Trying to set priorities on your own is a good start. You should also try to set up a meeting to discuss your workload in person. By doing this, you can ensure that you have a private conversation with your manager.
During the meeting, you can also ask your boss if he or she can delegate some of your responsibilities. You may also want to offer your expertise to help your team achieve great results. By doing this, you’ll demonstrate that you’re willing to problem solve independently and collaboratively.
Read More: How to Stay Calm Under Pressure at Work: 15 Expert-Proven Tips
Get Feedback From Others
Getting feedback from others can be a good way to let your boss know that you’re overworked. Overwork can lead to stress, burnout, and sloppy errors. It can also erode trust.
Getting feedback from others can help you identify ways to alleviate the situation. One of the most effective ways to get feedback from others is to get an opinion from someone you trust. Ask a co-worker, a mentor, for example.
The best part about getting feedback from others is that you can learn a lot from the process. You may even learn new ways to approach your job.
In addition to providing your supervisor with useful information, it can also lead to a better working relationship. Getting feedback from others is also a good way to ensure that you’re not overreacting in the first place.
Don’t Feel Guilty About It
It may be intimidating to admit feeling overwhelmed about your workload, but you need to be honest. You need to let your manager know that you are overworked.
A lighter workload does not imply coasting. It entails dedicating the proper amount of time to a manageable quantity of work. It is about putting in serious labor, controlling expectations, and avoiding burnout.
Inform your employer of your objectives in your conversation. Presumably you want to keep producing high-quality work, and the best way to achieve so is by having less work to complete in the first place.
Read More:
- How To Help Someone with Burnout: 10 Ways To Get Them Back To Normal
- How to Deal with a Boss Who Keeps Dumping Work on You
Founder of Eggcellentwork.com. With over 20 years of experience in HR and various roles in corporate world, Jenny shares tips and advice to help professionals advance in their careers. Her blog is a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their skills, land their dream job, or make a career change.
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