How to say no to extra work without looking like a slacker

"Saying yes to every extra task doesn't make you indispensable. It makes you exhausted. And worse, it raises the question of your value as an employee. Are you just duct tape slapped over a leak when needed, or is there real substance and strategy to your role in the organization? A stretch project that builds skills or visibility? Now, that's worth stepping up for. But, extra work that adds no upside except more caffeine paired with a shot of anxiety? Not so much."

"It comes down to communicating boundaries in a way that demonstrates clarity, professionalism, and commitment to outcomes. Anchor in Your Priorities The first strategy is to make your no about what you are doing, not what you aren't. The fastest way to get labeled "not a team player" is to just say no. This isn't D.A.R.E. The smarter move is to show what you're focused on and why it matters."

Agreeing to every extra task leads to exhaustion and undermines perceived value by making employees seem like temporary fixes rather than strategic contributors. Distinguish between stretch projects that build skills or visibility and low-upside tasks that only increase workload and anxiety. Protect bandwidth by framing refusals around current priorities and impact, not by simply saying no. Use clear, professional language that states existing commitments and proposes trade-offs or reprioritization. Anchoring responses in deliverables signals resource awareness, commitment to outcomes, and collaboration while maintaining boundaries without appearing uncooperative.

Read at Fast Company