Do you find it difficult or impossible to say NO to your boss?
By laydee
@laydee (12798)
Philippines
October 15, 2009 8:44pm CST
Is there an invisible rule that you can't say NO to your boss?
I have a friend who keeps on complaining about how her supervisor treats her like his personal slave. It seems to her that his primary motive for the day is to make her life miserable by making her work more than the other employees.
Well, I didn't find anything wrong with what he asks her to do, because it's really part of her job. But it's really obvious that the boss just likes to ask her to do these things instead of asking other employees to do so. Perhaps it's because she works fast and efficiently, but it seems really unfair that she get more load of job for the same pay with the other employees.
I simply told her to say NO once in a while, in a polite way, like "Sorry boss, haven't finished doing the task 'coz of some reasons etc. so I don't think I could finish that one either" but she told me that it's not good to say NO to the boss.
Well, I simply told her that if she always acts like wonder-woman then her boss would think that she could do more because she can submit her work faster than anyone else. But deep down inside she's exhausted. hehehe..
What do you think? Is it wrong to say NO to the boss?
2 people like this
5 responses
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
16 Oct 09
Hi there!
It would be advisible not to offend the boss by saying 'no' to him/her for any work assigned by him. You just cannot afford to displease your boss by giving him/her a negative answer. Afterall, s/he holds the position of authority and if you deny him or disrespect him/her, sooner or later s/he may take revenge and you will find yourself in soup, because you are a subordinate.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
Does this mean that regardless how absurd the request is, you'd have to do it? How bout if the boss starts ordering you to do things apart from your job description? Does this mean you should do them?
I could recall a past classmate of mine when we were in college. We had our OJT (On-the-job Training) and she was in a government organization. One day, I asked her what she did the whole day and she said "I was answering the assignment of my boss' child". Is this appropriate??
Thanks for the thoughts, have a great mylot experience ahead!
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
28 Aug 12
It depends upon individual. (your comments came after three years?)
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
17 Sep 12
Oh, I guess it did! At least we both know we're still here, luckily! hahaha.. It was one of those times when I didn't have time to look into the notifications and it was just there sitting on my email. Then I had time to look into it.
Thanks for still responding though!
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
26 Sep 12
That has been my dilemma, I even resorted to asking help from my cousin on some work tasks that I could not handle anymore. I just paid my cousin a bit of money for helping me out a little.
But the more honest one can be about what one can accomplish in a certain time, the more it will be an eye opener for everyone involved that a certain task may take longer. I have always felt that it's hard to say NO to the boss. Sometimes hiding the real issue comes out in disasters later, like if there is one task that they expect you to do and yet you didn't realize that there was another assignment you were supposed to do and you lost your focus on that.
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
27 Sep 12
Heheh.. I have done that too! It seems there are times when I couldn't afford to disappoint my boss that I am willing to just do about anything in order to finish all the tasks that they are giving me! But there are just times too when I just couldn't take it anymore and I would just say "I'll try, but I won't promise because...." so that they'll realize that the priority isn't that other task that they're giving me right now.
Have a great mylot experience ahead!
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
29 Aug 12
Personally, I feel there are times when it is appropriate to say no when being asked if you can do something. I know many times I have had too for various reasons, and it is hard. Because then you have to worry about when you ask for something if you might be turned down as well. But in reality, saying No never hurt and can be a Good thing sometimes.
1 person likes this
@OrangJuice (687)
• China
16 Oct 09
Yes, you're right! Saying "No" is always hard no matter to whom, your boss or other person. Especially in the office, it's really harder. If you say "NO" to the boss, maybe it give your boss the bad impression, and anyway, the boss are in higher position than us. Many reasons cause us to accept their tasks instead of saying "No".
For me, firstly, I will judge if it's my responsibility or not. If no, I will refused indirectly, I always say, "Yes, boss, I will try, but no promise." Or I don't think I can finish it, I will praise my boss, and kick it back.
Secondly, I will adjust my ideas, if I really don't know how to refuse and aceept the tasks, I will stare at only my tasks instead of other colleagues. Comparison in bad mood always make me unhappy and tired. I don't like this life style indeed.
Yes, maybe it's unfair to get same pay but do more jobs. But you know, at least, they are good at skills of refusion. In a way, it's fair. You're not good at it. When you learn this skill, you can also do less and get the same. Right? - It sounds tricky.
Anyway, keeping a good mood anywhere is important! Hope your friend is happy and fine!
Anyway, keeping a good mood anywhere is important! Hope your friend is happy and fine!1 person likes this
@taztheone (1721)
• India
16 Oct 09
I never find it difficult to say no & saying no initially needs a lot of guts. However you need to learn to say no to succeed in life & it's never wrong to say no unless it's your job or your duty to do it.
Happy Lotting
