Never say ‘It’s not my job’
You can feel put upon and taken advantage of when work is dumped on you. It’s tempting to speak up when it isn’t in your job description to complete those tasks. However, here are three reasons to keep your lips sealed. You could:
- Hurt your image. You will quickly be seen as an average worker who’s not willing to take on more work or go the extra mile.
- Become negative. You’ll be angry and resentful toward your boss and others, and that decreases your overall job satisfaction. See the extra tasks not as burdens but as others’ show of faith in your abilities.
- Limit your potential. Saying “No” to tasks outside your area reduces your chances to learn and develop your skills—knowledge that could ultimately help you move up within your organization. Bottom line: If your workload can handle the extra work, do it without complaining. If, however, you are overloaded with assignments, talk to your boss about how you can balance your workload.
— Adapted from “When You Say ‘It’s Not My Job,’ You End Up Ruining Your Career,” Vivian Giang, www.businessinsider.com.
