What do you do if your boss is overwhelming you with work and encroaching on your personal time?

Prepare an escape. Always easier to find a job when you have a job. Do not stay when you are used and abused. There is nothing there for you.

Thank you for letting me have confidence in myself with this new project, sir! I'm genuinely interested in getting started. However, given my workload and upcoming deadlines, I wanted to ensure we could deliver the best results possible. Taking on everything at once might impact the quality of my work on both the new project and existing commitments. Let's schedule a brief meeting to discuss prioritization or explore potential adjustments to the workload. After all, a team that feels supported and focused is ultimately a more productive one. Please remember, do not answer like,: 'I'm swamped' or 'This is too much.' these answers come across as unfavourable also don't offer solutions.

It's all about boundaries, but also the part you play in the bigger picture/journey. For example, are you a Founding member of a startup, where the potential rewards and benefits in the coming months/years are huge, or are you one of many employees that are working a mundane 9-5 job, with little reward and opportunity. You need to asses each situation differently and judge the input and the output. If you are a part of something that could be huge and everyone has to ultimately live and breathe it, for it to get to where you all want it to get to, then there will be sacrifice. If it's a basic 9-5 job and your boss is just a narcissist, then you need to address it, either by looking for a new job, or speaking to HR.

Before approaching your boss, thoroughly evaluate your workload and its impact on your personal time. By identifying specific examples and understanding how it affects you, you can clearly articulate your concerns. This preparation is akin to the Engaging phase of Motivational Interviewing, helping you to start the conversation from a well-informed and grounded perspective.

Provide clear time frames to complete projects with solutions. Maintain open communication listen to feedback, ask for help, take breaks, stay hydrated, and remember it’s ok to prioritize and seek verification of what needs completed first.

The importance of setting clear boundaries cannot be overstated in the pursuit of a healthy work-life balance. This involves a candid conversation with your boss about what you can realistically accomplish within your working hours and the importance of reserving time for personal commitments. Drawing parallels with the 'Focusing' phase of Motivational Interviewing, this step is about identifying and communicating the specific changes that are necessary to prevent work from encroaching on your personal life. It’s about being assertive yet respectful in conveying your limits, showing that while you are committed to your job, maintaining your personal well-being is equally important.

I am always keen to have an open and honest conversation with my senior manager. How you approach your direct supervisor in a private, one-on-one meeting is very important. Ask yourself what is the motivation behind the extra work load and time required. There are circumstances that it is necessary to take on additional responsibilities, but know when to draw the line in the sand, as it can escalate to a problem quite quickly. You know how the old saying goes about too much on your plate, it’s unhealthy. Not only the quality of your work will suffer, but your work life balance can get knocked down taking you with it. There are positive aspects such as learning new skills, helping a the organisation meet deadlines. Know your limits.

It is necessary to review how time is being used during the working day and whether tasks can be organized in a way that optimizes time and results, avoiding periods of dispersion with other activities that are not related to the company. If, even after this alignment, the demand is exceeding personal limits, a clear conversation, showing what has already been done to improve this process and what impacts this is bringing to the professional, should happen quickly, avoiding an accumulation of unfinished tasks that perhaps other collaborators can execute them.

Setting boundaries at work in a high pressure or high stakes work environment within a certain job market draw on communication and assertiveness skills. Using the foundation of a self and work load assessment, the next step is to find the actions and language to employ a variety solutions to a problem common to many of us today. Using factual statements highlighting overload and ideas, using language that asserts a "No" or "I am unable to do so now, but I'd be happy to get to it tomorrow" convey employee motivation and self care at the workplace.

Too often I have struggled with my perceptions of reality versus reality. When I have directly addressed my concerns or expressed feeling overwhelmed I was met with support rather than criticism. The mark of a good leader is someone that listens and is able to recognize oversight. I always value when others identify my fallibility. It reminds me that there are always different points of view and to never believe that I'm the smartest person in my immediate circle. Discussing issues openly and freely creates a culture of positivity instead of breeding contempt.

Try to have a conversation with your line manager as soon as you feel comfortable about it. You would suggest to plan out what you will say and what are the possible outcomes from the conversations. I would always suggest speaking to a trade union if you have any workplace-related concerns or issues.

La communication non violente permet d'établir des relations plus saines et plus harmonieuses au sein de l'environnement de travail. En utilisant des techniques telles que l'écoute empathique, l'expression honnête des sentiments et des besoins, et en évitant les accusations et la confrontation, elle favorise la compréhension mutuelle et la résolution pacifique des conflits. En adoptant cette approche, les individus peuvent communiquer de manière plus efficace, améliorer leur collaboration et leur bien-être au travail.

Most people are open to dialogue. This being said, the most powerful and unfortunately, the most overlooked communication tool is listening. Not to be confused with hearing, a function of the ear. Listening requires engaging the mind and the heart. When others believe they are being heard, they are more likely to listen. Thus, the true dynamic of dialogue takes place. Attempting to protest your position into prominence tends to fall short of desired outcomes no matter how correct it may be. When you take the time to truly listen to others there is opportunity for communion the ultimate goal of "commun-i-cation." Commun being the the end result "I," being you and with some shuffling of letters "action." It is a verb. Something done.

Engaging in an open dialogue with your boss, characterized by empathetic listening and the use of non-confrontational language, is a key step in addressing the issue of overwhelming workloads. This approach aligns with the principles of Motivational Interviewing, focusing on building mutual understanding and cooperation. By expressing your concerns and the impact of the workload on your personal time in a manner that avoids placing blame, you open up a pathway to finding solutions together. This step is about creating a space where both parties feel heard and respected, thereby laying the groundwork for a constructive resolution.

Offering a solution or alternative especially when one has done everything including setting boundaries, speaking about the issue itself. At the end of the day productivity needs to show so in a situation where the pressure is high, it is important to also contribute as to how you and the manager both can work collectively to make sure that deliverables are executed. While as employees, we tend to think from only the aspects of a manager being overbearing, it is also important to try and understand where this behaviour is being triggered for him/her. Hence pitching in with a workable solution will go a long way to make sure work is done and your dynamics with your supervisors is not affected.

I am firm proponent of coming with solutions rather than focusing on the problems. Brainstorming over some food may be a good way to bring down the walls and have those creative juices flow.

Always try to have a solution to the problem for the purpose of collaborating and seeking wise counsel from your boss. This shows initiative and ability to find or to compromise in order to solve the issue.

1 have an open dialogue 2. Define which of the the talks are a main priorities that actually contribute to the companies short and mid term goals. 2.1 Define those On a timeline with milestones 2.2 Define how long each task will take , how work and resources intensive it will be . 3. Get sign off from your boss to focus on those 4. Get sign off that during this the other priorities will be shifted to a later date on the timeline. 5. Revisit those timelines frequently for control When work is still too much and causing pain or burn out and boundaries are not respected ???? Step out

When you approach your boss with concerns about your workload, it’s beneficial to also present potential solutions. This proactive approach is in line with the 'Evoking' phase of Motivational Interviewing and demonstrates your commitment to finding a workable balance. Suggestions might include prioritizing certain tasks, delegating responsibilities, or negotiating more flexible deadlines. Offering solutions shows that you're not only identifying problems but are also invested in finding ways to improve the situation. It reflects initiative and a willingness to collaborate on creating a more manageable and mutually beneficial work environment.

Learning to respect one's own personal boundaries at the workplace while producing at high levels requires holding the line between no and yes. Ongoing role plays or mock sessions with peers, learning through observation and/or working with a coach or mentor are key to being able to hone this art of assertiveness at the workplace. As emotions can tend to get high- both expressed and not, seeking help from a therapist can be the difference between going overboard or biting one's lip.

Following up after your initial conversation is crucial to ensure that the agreed-upon changes are being implemented and that they are effective in addressing the issue of work encroaching on your personal time. This mirrors the 'Planning' stage in Motivational Interviewing, where the focus is on committing to and monitoring the progress of the plan of action. Regular check-ins allow you to acknowledge improvements, adjust strategies as needed, and ensure that your work-life balance is being respected. Consistent follow-up serves as a mechanism for accountability and reinforces the importance of maintaining the boundaries you’ve set.

After the conversation and implementation of new routines to improve the performance of the company's activities without affecting the employee's personal time, it is extremely important to monitor the tasks to assess whether they are bringing the expected results, whether any issue can be improved or whether there is something unnecessary.

If the situation does not improve despite your best efforts, it may be time to seek external support. This can include reaching out to Human Resources or a trusted mentor within the organization for guidance or intervention. This step is akin to seeking reinforcement for your commitment to change, as outlined in Motivational Interviewing. It’s important to remember that you have the right to a healthy work-life balance and that there are resources and individuals within your organization who can support you in achieving this. Seeking external support is a valid and sometimes necessary step in advocating for your well-being.

If, after all the changes established, there is still a work overload, seeking help from experts in the area is of great value, remembering that personal life should not be compromised by work tasks that exceed the working hours established in the work contract.

I find it depends. I expect sprints and to work some weekends in my field. Anything medical is not M-F 40 hour weeks. I tend to acknowledge sprints are necessary and then label that if we have been sprinting for 4 weeks its now running a marathon at sprint pace. I also take time when I can. If Tuesday is quiet I get a day hike in knowing I am getting a deliverable Friday that needs a fast turn - aka weekend work. I protect time in my calendar one way or another.

In my experience, it’s important to discuss expectations for both you and your supervisor. It is also important to be observant as to how your supervisor communicates their expectations. When I have clients dealing with a situation about boundaries or worklife balance with supervisors I suggest sending an email at the close of your workday that highlights the major tasks completed and upcoming tasks for the next day. This helps to let your supervisor know that you are done for the day and to provide follow up on assigned tasks. If they have tasks/questions to be added, they are more likely to send you a reply via email. If you receive replies after sending this email the expectation is that you would respond the next business day.

Personally, I believe my boss would be aware that my interest in the field I work in often means that I spend more cognitive time on work related themes than I am paid for... however, initially, I believe I could use a jovial tone l, hinting a common joke at having my interests being taken for granted further exacerbated by the lack of financial incentive. If it happened again, I would privately say that my enthusiasm and initiative was under direct threat if such boundaries were not respected and understood.

Having to contend with or navigate such situations can bring up many emotions that may not have room for expression and action. At such times, seeking help from within the organization and/or outside by talking with mentors, coaches and/or a therapist, sometimes in combination can be a transformative way towards empowerment and taking the next best steps.

Chaque jour, mon manger me sollicitait pour des taches urgentes, sans considération pour les projets en cours ou l'impact sur mon équilibre pro et perso. Cette situation a rapidement entra?né du stress et de la frustration. S'exprimer lors d'un entretien avec le manager : "J'ai remarqué ces derniers temps que notre fa?on de gérer les priorités pourrait être améliorée. J'apprécie les urgences qui surviennent dans notre travail, mais j'ai remarqué que cela peut parfois interférer avec ma capacité à m'acquitter efficacement des taches en cours. Je pense qu'en discutant ensemble des priorités et en établissant un plan plus structuré, nous pourrions travailler de manière plus fluide et efficace."