how to decline an assignment at work

8 Tips From Bosses on How to Decline Work Assignments

by Ari Alvarez | Jun 9, 2020 | Establishing Priorities | 1 comment

How to Decline Work Assignments

• Provide an Explanation.  Explain in detail why you cannot perform the work within your work schedule. Discuss with your boss your current workload, capacity, and availability (in light your work schedule). Explain how this new project would interfere with your current work.
• Honesty is Key.  Be honest and upfront with your boss. Do not exaggerate or provide information that is untruthful or excuses that are not believable.
• Provide a Backup.  Before talking to your boss, determine whether a co-worker might have the necessary skills or time to perform the task or project.  Give your boss options for completing the assignment.  They will appreciate if you don’t just dump the problem on them without offering a solution.
• Don’t Delay.  Bring up your unavailability or concerns as soon as possible. This will give your boss time to make alternate arrangements. Don’t cause them to miss a deadline because they couldn’t find a replacement for you.  Don’t place them in a time crunch because you waited too long to tell them that you couldn’t handle a project.
• Explain the Impact on Output.  You may feel that taking on the new task will affect the quality of the output. Maybe your time restrictions won’t allow you to invest the time needed to complete the project. Perhaps the assignment requires skills you don’t have. If this is the case, let your supervisor know specifically how you believe the work product could be negatively affected if you handled it.
• Ask for Help.  Let your boss know whether you would be able to perform the work if you had some assistance. Could you do the job if you had certain equipment or technology?  Could you complete the assignment if you had an assistant to help or other resources?  If so, explain to your boss with specificity what you need, and how the resource you are requesting will allow you to complete the job.
• Don’t Fail to Comply.  After exploring all options you may still conclude that you can’t do the job.  In such case, don’t accept it and then fail to deliver. Failing to complete the work will cause your boss or others to have to rush at the eleventh hour to get the job done. This is more likely to cause a missed deadline. Alternatively, the deliverable produced might be sub-par.  Your boss will not be happy in any of those scenarios.
• Don’t create a habit of saying “no” at work. Do it sporadically, and only for legitimate reasons.  If you are consistently overwhelmed with work and regularly wish you could decline additional assignments, find out whether your employer can make an arrangement that helps you.  Determine if they offer a reduced schedule option or alternate working arrangement that would allow you to work fewer hours.  Is there a policy that would allow you to work from home?  Are they open to a job-sharing arrangement where you can share  responsibilities with co-workers.  See more on these options here: http://legallybalanced.com/how-to-request-an-alternative-work-arrangement/ .  Many employers offer alternative work arrangements.  You can likely find more information on those in the employee manual or by asking at the HR department.

Finally, the bosses we heard from repeatedly stated that communication is key.  A respectful dialogue on the subject is beneficial to all parties. They also offered a few recommendations for those of you who are bosses.

Advice for Bosses

• Are you are consistently going to the same person for new projects? Could you be overwhelming them?
• Are you are assigning new work to the right people?  Do you choose to assign work to the person in the office next to yours just because it’s convenient?  If so, have you thought about whether they are qualified to do the work? Is the task or project part of, or related to, their position?
• Would your office benefit from a rotation system that ensures all employees are equally utilized?
• Would a periodic meeting or report (weekly, bi-weekly) be helpful?  This could allow employees to report on the projects they are working on and the hours they expect each task to require. You can compare that against their work schedule and determine if they have too much on their plate. This tool can also help you determine whether an employee who expresses concern about accepting new assignments has a legitimate argument.
• Do employees working from home have a setup similar to what is available at the office (for example, dual monitors, computer programs).

In the end, communication is key.  It’s easier to decline work assignments when there is an active dialogue between the employee and their boss.

Please share with us your thoughts or comments on this subject. We look forward to hearing from you!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Subscribe To Our Blog

Join our mailing list to receive our latest posts.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Great article love it Can you tell me your theme name that you use in this website

• Project management Track your team’s tasks and projects in Hive
• Time tracking Automatically track time spent on Hive actions
• Goals Set and visualize your most important milestones
• Collaboration & messaging Connect with your team from anywhere
• Forms Gather feedback, project intake, client requests and more
• Proofing & Approvals Streamline design and feedback workflows in Hive
• See all features
• Analytics Gain visibility and gather insights into your projects
• Automations Save time by automating everyday tasks
• Hive Apps Connect dozens of apps to streamline work from anywhere
• Integrations Sync Hive with your most-used external apps
• Templates Quick-start your work in Hive with pre-built templates
• Download Hive Access your workspace on desktop or mobile
• Project management Streamline initiatives of any size & customize your workflow by project
• Resource management Enable seamless resourcing and allocation across your team
• Project planning Track and plan all upcoming projects in one central location
• Time tracking Consolidate all time tracking and task management in Hive
• Cross-company collaboration Unite team goals across your organization
• Client engagement Build custom client portals and dashboards for external use
• All use cases
• Enterprise Bring your organization into one unified platform
• Agency Streamline project intake, project execution, and client comms
• University Marketing Maximize value from your marketing and admissions workflows with Hive
• Nonprofits Seamless planning, fundraising, event execution and more
• Marketing Streamline your marketing projects and timelines
• Business operations Track and optimize strategic planning and finance initiatives
• Education Bring your institutions’ planning, fundraising, and more into Hive
• Design Use Hive to map out and track all design initiatives and assets
• On-demand demo Access a guided walk through Hive
• Customers More on how Teams are using Hive now
• FAQ & support articles Find answers to your most asked questions
• Hive University Become a Hive expert with our free Hive U courses
• Webinars Learn about Hive’s latest features
• Hive Community Where members discuss and answer questions in the community
• Professional Services Get hands-on help from our Professional Services team
• Hive Partners Explore partners services or join as a partner
• FEATURED WEBINAR

Power Your Progress with Analytics in Hive

MediaLink's Will will take us through their organization's use of Hive Analytics and how it has helped power their agency progress.

• Request Demo
• Get Started
• Project management
• How teams work in Hive
• Productivity
• Remote and hybrid work

9 Ways to Turn Down Extra Work Politely

• Sara London
• April 24, 2023

You just got a message from your manager about reaching out to a new client, or a teammate asks if you could pick up some of their slack when they go on vacation. But you’re already stretched thin, and you’re worried that you’ll have to say yes just because you can’t figure out how to say no. Luckily, turning down work doesn’t have to be done in a way that puts your relationships at risk. Read on to learn some great ways to turn down extra work politely.

1. “You know, I could do this if…”

Before you turn down work definitively, make sure that you’re not saying no to a project that could be interesting or engaging. Even if you have a lot on your plate, this might be a project where you can have the opportunity to think creatively and innovate something exciting. You can always delegate some of your other desk work or bump other items down the priority list.

Also, you should know how much your “no” will cost your coworker and how much your participation would mean to them. If they’re just as overloaded as you are, you can work together to pick up the slack for each other.

Pro tip : Project management tools like Hive are a great way for you and your teammates to manage priorities and see how individual responsibilities fit within the broader team workload. Try Hive for free and start taking control of your workload today.

2. “I don’t know enough about what this would entail.”

Maybe part of the reason you’re hesitant to take on new work is that projects are constantly evolving. You know a task will probably start small, but who knows about the blockers or snags you might hit along the way.

Be sure to ask questions about the project’s scope, goals, and importance before accepting it or turning it down. If they can’t give you a clear answer, this task could be a lot more work than you’re bargaining for.

3. “I actually know someone else that might be a better fit for this.”

Next, if you’re really going to turn down someone’s offer for extra work, you can always recommend someone else who might enjoy the opportunity more.

Think of someone working underneath you who might want an opportunity for advancement or a teammate that’s looking to foster new skills. That way, your coworkers can benefit, and you can have less on your plate.

4. “Sorry, but my schedule’s already full.”

If you’re invited to a meeting or a conference that you just can’t squeeze in, you can use the tried-and-true method of referencing your packed schedule.

If your manager or teammate stresses the importance of the meeting, don’t feel guilted into tagging along – they could record it for you to watch at your leisure or send meeting notes and follow-up items after the meeting concludes.

5. “Is there another way to solve this problem?”

Sometimes, the person asking you to take on extra work might be trying to solve an issue by working hard and not smart. You can offer your problem-solving and critical-thinking expertise by taking a few minutes to cut the problem down to one or two main questions. Then, develop resourceful solutions that don’t take up any more time than they need to.

By minimizing busy work for both you and the other party, you’ll be able to bond more as teammates over your shared ingenuity.

6. “I can’t do that because my priority is on something else.”

This is a great response to give if you’ve been signed onto a project by another person who only lets you know after the fact. Interestingly, research from the 1970s shows that when you add the word “because” to a statement or request, the other party is more willing to oblige.

Explaining your rationale allows the other person to empathize with you, creating a convincing argument in your favor. Just try not to go overboard when you’re explaining yourself, or else you might come off as defensive instead of descriptive.

7. “I might be interested in this if we could rethink the timeline.”

Next, rather than turning down someone’s request, you can compromise. Rethinking the timeline is another way to suggest that you might be able to work together toward accomplishing this task in a more reasonable way.

This response isn’t a firm no, as it allows you to potentially be involved in the project when you have more free time. But if there’s no sense of urgency, then this project won’t be at the top of your priority list – and a question about the timeline of the project is a great way to gauge how urgent it really is.

8. “Thanks for thinking of me!”

Another great way to politely turn down extra work is to let the other party know how much you appreciate being considered. This is an especially great statement to use with a manager, as you may have been hand-picked by them to take on this particular task. If you come off appreciatively and respectfully, you won’t leave the exchange feeling like you’re letting the other party down as you’re recognizing how special you feel for being chosen.

Responding in this way is also a great lead-in for suggesting someone else who might be a good fit for the role. It gives you the chance to think of someone else after someone thought of you, creating a chain reaction of inclusive company culture.

9. “Sorry, I just can’t do that now.”

Last but not least, you should feel empowered to say no without any other excuses, options, or reasons. If you say no too gingerly, the other party might think that there’s a chance to change your mind and bring you on board. You know your bandwidth best, and you know when people are placing unrealistic expectations on you in terms of workload.

So be straightforward, and say “no.” However, you’ll want to shy away from being too stern, as you don’t want to damage your relationships, especially if a manager asks you to take on more work.

Join the community!

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

© 2015 – 2024 HIVE® INC.

• Get the Job
• Resumes and CVs
• Applications
• Cover Letters
• Professional References

Professional Licenses and Exams

• Get a Promotion
• Negotiation
• Professional Ethics
• Professionalism
• Dealing with Coworkers
• Dealing with Bosses

Communication Skills

Managing the office, disabilities, harassment and discrimination, unemployment.

• Career Paths
• Compare Careers
• Switching Careers
• Training and Certifications
• Start a Company
• Internships and Apprenticeships
• Entry Level Jobs
• College Degrees

Growth Trends for Related Jobs

How to respectfully decline an assignment.

Turning down an assignment offered by a superior, or saying no to a task requested by a colleague, can be uncomfortable and challenging. To prepare yourself, you need a firm understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of your job so you can diplomatically and professionally express yourself if you are unable to take on an assignment.

Optional Assignment

Your supervisor might extend an opportunity to stretch your skills or challenge yourself professionally by offering you an assignment outside your everyday work responsibilities. Accepting this type of assignment can endear you to your boss and demonstrate your willingness to be a team player. However, if the assignment is not something you feel comfortable or qualified to take on, or if it puts you at risk of not giving full attention to your other responsibilities, politely decline by explaining the circumstances. For example, you might say, “While I appreciate the opportunity to head up this task force, I feel I would be more effective in a committee member role. I've never done this before, and I know this is a critical project for the team.”

Job-Related Assignment

If your supervisor gives you an assignment that’s in direct relationship to your job duties and responsibilities, your rationale for declining it needs to be strong. For example, if you have other pressing tasks with critical deadlines looming, and the assignment would jeopardize your ability to give full and necessary attention to your other projects, you need to have a conversation with your boss about prioritization. You might say, “I'm currently working on the advertisements for the upcoming educational program as well as finalizing newsletter copy for print deadline. I feel it is best to decline this new assignment so I can attend to my existing responsibilities."

Colleague Request

While co-workers are typically expected to assist one another in a team environment, don't let yourself get into the habit of taking on a co-worker’s tasks and responsibilities on a regular basis. In particular, try to avoid getting entwined with a colleague who leaves her own projects until the last minute and then asks you to drop what you’re doing and help her meet her deadlines. You might say, “I understand you're frustrated this project isn't complete. But I have several things I'm in the middle of that I need to get finished by the end of the week as well, so I'm not going to be able to help you.”

Recommend Alternatives

Declining an assignment can be easier if you offer your manager or colleague an option outside yourself. For example, you might tell your boss, “If you're looking for a group leader, Jim has been talking about how he’d like to take on more leadership roles, and I know he's enthusiastic about this particular project. He might be a good resource for you.” Suggest to a colleague that she ask for an extension on her deadline or say, “I know our intern just finished up a major project. She might have some free time if you need an extra set of hands.”

Related Articles

How to request a meeting with the boss →.

How to Answer "What Are Your Challenges?" in an Interview →

Talking to Your Boss When You Don't Feel Appreciated →

How to Deal With Not Getting a Job Promotion →

How to propose a promotion to your manager →, elements of effective teamwork →.

• State University: The Purposeful Work Day -- Saying No
• Your Life Balance Coach; Setting Limits; How to Say “No” Tactfully

Lisa McQuerrey has been a business writer since 1987. In 1994, she launched a full-service marketing and communications firm. McQuerrey's work has garnered awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Associated Press. She is also the author of several nonfiction trade publications, and, in 2012, had her first young-adult novel published by Glass Page Books.

Zinkevych/iStock/GettyImages

• Job Descriptions
• Law Enforcement Job Descriptions
• Administrative Job Descriptions
• Healthcare Job Descriptions
• Sales Job Descriptions
• Fashion Job Descriptions
• Education Job Descriptions
• Salary Insights
• Journalism Salaries
• Healthcare Salaries
• Military Salaries
• Engineering Salaries
• Teaching Salaries
• Accessibility
• Privacy Notice
• Cookie Notice
• Copyright Policy
• Contact Us
• Find a Job
• Manage Preferences
• California Notice of Collection
• Terms of Use

Flow through your inbox

Flowrite turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages across your browser.

For companies

Mar 18, 2021

How to say no politely – 6 tips for professionals

Hate saying no? We got you covered. With these six tips, you’ll finesse your tone and decline any offer politely and professionally.

Jessi Christian

Table of contents

Buffet got it right when he claimed that saying no is what makes you successful.

Denying little requests opens up your schedule to say yes to the right opportunities. The ones that make a change in your career and that matter to you.

If you decided to click on this article, you most likely have your inbox filled up with messages of colleagues asking you to give feedback for their work, team members wanting your support in their newest project, or  cold pitches  by salespeople that tell you to jump on a call with them.

But straight up saying no can feel hard because you do not want to harm your reputation. No one wants to be the "difficult boss", "unreliable co-worker" or unapproachable. This kind of image can damage your career prospects.

Saying no does not have to be hard. We collected six ways for you to decline a request professionally and politely. You'll learn how to finesse your tone to make a good impression, even when you have to disappoint someone. If you're looking to boost your email efficiency , use Flowrite to send rejection emails in no time:

When to say no?

Before we go deeper into the tips, let's look into when it makes sense to say no. Adam Grant had to learn the hard way whom he offers support to - and which offers he chooses to decline.

The American psychologist wrote a book about givers' surprising success: people who consistently help others with no strings attached. After the New York Times magazine ran a  cover story  about his book  Give and Take , his email inbox filled up with requests from people that asked Grant for all kinds of support.

As much as Grant might have wanted to help all of them, he had to learn the hard way that he can't. He realized that being a giver did not mean being a people pleaser.

Each yes comes with the cost of saying no to other chances, including your free time and relaxation. To achieve work-life balance and be great at your job, you have to learn to say no to tasks, projects, and even opportunities that may not align with your short- and long-term goals.

When you need to decide if you want to say yes or no to an opportunity, ask yourself: Am I closing the door on something, or am I opening the door for better opportunities?

How to politely decline – 6 tips

1. be concise and clear.

"If you want something done, ask a busy person." This famous proverb shows how being a responsive worker who takes over tasks easily can lead you to requests piling up in your inbox. That's why it's so important sometimes to reject assignments and opportunities that are not top of your priority list.

If you have to say no - be clear. You don't want to keep your counterpart wondering, especially if the task at hand is time-sensitive. Not even taking the time to sit down and decline in an email can seem thoughtless and can close the door for future collaborations (see tip 4).

But there's a difference between being concise and being rude.

Do you see the difference? Just a couple more words, and the tone is a lot more respectful while still giving a clear "no". This leads us to the second tip.

2. Kill them with kindness & be polite

Some people are scared to seem "rude" or "unhelpful" when saying no. You can easily get that kind of reputation if you answer so fast and short that it comes off as harsh. But saying no can be graceful and even feel empowering to receive your message if you kill them with kindness. 

People want to feel seen and appreciated, even when you have to deny them their request. So let the other person feel good about themselves! You might have heard of a "shit sandwich" when giving feedback to an employee, but it also works perfectly when you have to say no.

A shit sandwich works simply: You start on a positive note "This sounds like an interesting event"), tell them the bad message ("But unfortunately I won't be able to attend as a speaker."), and end with kindness ("I'm sure you'll have a successful conference in any case!") 

Some formulations you want to use to be kind & polite:

• Thank you for thinking of me.
• Sounds like a great project/event/idea, but this is not for us.
• I don't have enough time on my plate to offer you quality help.
• "Sadly" or "unfortunately" ( you don't have to apologize! )

3. Give your reasons - but without giving an opening

You might want to explain to the other person why this particular weekend or week doesn't work. Providing a brief explanation can let the other person know that it's not neglect but that you are simply unavailable.

However, you don't need to feel compelled to offer your reasons if the person is a taker, aka someone who takes your arm when you give them a hand.

You want to keep your no as simple as possible with takers, not give them an opening to argue their way into your schedule.

In the first version, you risk the other person trying to talk you into helping anyways ("If this week doesn't work, we can always do next week."). In contrast, the second one clearly closes the door. Another simple solution is to write, "I will let you know when and if I can."

It changes the power dynamic and lets you reach out to them when you have an opening instead of having them knocking on your door every day.

4. Keep the door open

Sometimes you have to say no, so you can say yes at the right time. For example, you might have to say no to a project that doesn't fit your current career goals, so you can give an empowered yes when the right project ends up on your desk.

You don't want to burn bridges by declining an offer. A good relationship with your network is key in accelerating your career, so occasionally, you want to keep the door open when you say no.

"I'm unavailable right now" or "I don't have the capacity at the moment" are simple phrases to indicate that you're open for a similar opportunity in the future. You can turn this tactic up a notch by following up on the request later , to ask if they were able to get what they asked for from somewhere else.

Use these formulations with care because you don't want to give the other person false hope that your no could eventually turn into a yes. When your no is flexible and malleable, it can seem unreliable or dishonest. At the same time, it's reasonable to state that while the answer may be no today, things could change in the future.

5. Refer them to an alternative

A simple referral can be a huge help for your counterpart. Introducing them to another person (and reduce yourself to the role of CC ) that can take over the job or that is even more suitable for the task can be worth taking your time, especially with people you work with long term.

Even suggesting another time in your own calendar can be a compromise you can agree on. If you get the same requests repeatedly, you can collect a document with your most common referrals (books, people, courses, etc.) to make it easier for you. If you want to learn how to connect two people, check out our blog post " How to introduce two people over email ."

6. Understand people's strategies

"The pushy ones" usually get what they want in life. You might have experienced this yourself: You hired the freelancer who checked in again and again, not because they are better but because they were persistent.

People have their strategies to get what they want. If you want to avoid signing up for things that do not move you forward in your career or business, you need to be aware of these strategies - especially when it comes to sales. 

Some of the most common strategies to get you to say yes:

• Urgency: "This offer expires at midnight and will never come back."
• Social Pressure: "Other people have donated X much."
• Free Offers: "Start your free trial."

When we understand them, we can also let go of our instant response of "well, in that case..." and analyze what is truly beneficial for us.

How to say no in any situation – 20 phrases

Sometimes you can feel lost for word when thinking about how to say no. When in doubt these phrases will help you to decline any request in a polite way, so it's good to keep these in your back pocket. Or bookmark this blog post.

Declining an offer or invite

• I appreciate the offer/invite, but I can’t commit.
• I’m honored by the offer/invites, but can’t.
• I’m flattered you considered me, but unfortunately I’ll have to pass this time.
• I appreciate the offer/invite, but I am completely booked.
• Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t.

Saying no when you don't have time

• I’m not able to make it this week/month/year.
• I’m really buckling down on my priorities right now, so I can’t.
• I’ve got too much on my plate right now, I just can’t take it on right now.
• I’m at the end of my rope right now so have to take a raincheck.
• Sadly I have something else.

Saying no when your interests are not aligned

• It doesn’t sound like the right fit for me.
• Sorry, but I feel I wouldn’t fit the bill.
• I believe I’m not the right person for that.
• I’m not sure I’m the best for this.
• Unfortunately, it’s not a what I'm looking for.

Saying no without a specific reason

• I wish I could make it work.
• Unfortunately, it’s not a good time.
• I wish there were two of me, but I can’t.
• Maybe another time.
• Sorry, I can’t

How to say no politely with Flowrite

Let's be honest here: There are only that many hours in the day, and you do not want to waste it with crafting polite, yet concise, emails while leaving the door open for future collaborations. Writing emails faster is actually not that hard with new developments in artificial intelligence.

Yes, you can use all of these tips in your daily life, or you can spend your time more efficiently doing what really moves your career forward. Here's how you can use Flowrite to politely say no to a request:

Feeling more comfortable about how to say no?

We hope that with these tips and examples you are able to decline request with confidence.

If you think we missed out on essential take on saying no politely, please let us know.

Supercharge your communication with Flowrite

Write emails and messages faster across Google Chrome.

Explore Flowrite

Start using Flowrite today

Try it yourself

Reject offer

Reply to: "

Hi Jason, My name is Micaela and I head up business development efforts at Foorecast. We recently launched a new platform that helps finance departments of publicly trated companies to manage financial reporting. I am taking an educated stab in the dark here, however based on your LinkedIn profile, you appear to be an appropriate person to connect regarding these needs at Prativo. Are you open to a fifteen minute call on May 15 at 11 am PST to discuss ways our platform can specifically help Prativo? Please find a one pager of our platform as an attachment. Best regards, Micaela

Received message

happy with our current solution

Generate a reply

Generate an outreach

Share this article

Related articles

How to write a reminder email with 9 email samples and templates

This guide has all you need to send professional and polite reminder emails. Read our best tips and use the 9 email samples at the end.

How to write a thank you email after interview with 25 examples

Don't forget to send a 'thank you' email after your interview. Use one of our 25 sample thank you emails after interview to do it professionally.

How to write apology emails with 10 samples and a template

Saying sorry is easy with our guide to apology emails. Here’s a breakdown of the apology email format and 10 email samples.

We use cookies to analyze site performance and deliver a better experience for visitors.

Product updates

Read the latest →

About Flowrite

Get to know us →

Productivity

© 2023 Flowrite

How to Say No to a Work Assignment: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to say no to a work assignment can be a delicate matter. Balancing your commitment to the company and your personal boundaries is crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance. While declining work assignments may seem challenging, especially in a formal setting, it is essential to communicate your limitations tactfully and assertively. In this guide, we will provide you with strategies, tips, and examples on how to say no to a work assignment effectively, both in formal and informal settings.

Formal Ways to Say No to a Work Assignment

In a formal workplace environment, it is essential to be professional and maintain a respectful tone when declining work assignments. Here are a few strategies you can employ:

1. Request for Clarity

When approached with a work assignment, ensure that you fully understand the scope and expectations. Ask for additional details, including deadlines, deliverables, and potential impact on other projects or responsibilities. This will demonstrate your engagement and interest while enabling you to assess your availability.

2. Express Appreciation and Explain Constraints

Begin your response by expressing gratitude for being considered for the assignment. Then, politely explain the constraints that prevent you from accepting it. These constraints may include a heavy workload, conflicting deadlines, or personal commitments. Make sure to emphasize your dedication and commitment to the company’s success, but also highlight the importance of effectively managing your workload.

Example: “Thank you for considering me for this assignment. I truly appreciate the opportunity to contribute. However, due to my current workload and upcoming deadlines, I am afraid I won’t be able to give it the attention it deserves. As my priority is to ensure the successful completion of my current projects, I believe it would be best for the company if someone else takes on this task.”

3. Offer Alternatives

Instead of simply saying no, consider offering alternatives to demonstrate your willingness to contribute. You could suggest an alternative colleague who may be better suited for the assignment or propose a revised timeline that aligns with your availability. This displays your cooperative mindset while still expressing your limitations.

4. Suggest Prioritization

If you are overwhelmed with multiple assignments, it may be helpful to discuss priorities with your supervisor or project manager. In such cases, it is crucial to openly communicate and negotiate which tasks should take precedence. By discussing priorities, you can work together to allocate resources effectively and ensure optimal outcomes for the company.

5. Follow up with Solutions

Even after declining an assignment, it is essential to show your dedication by proposing potential solutions or highlighting how you can assist in other ways. This demonstrates that while you may not be able to take on the specific task, you are still actively engaged in contributing to the success of the project or team.

Informal Ways to Say No to a Work Assignment

In less formal work environments, you may have more flexibility in your communication style. However, it is still essential to maintain a professional approach. Here are a few strategies to employ when declining work assignments in an informal manner:

1. Engage in Open Conversation

Informal work environments often encourage open dialogue and collaboration. In such settings, it is appropriate to discuss your concerns openly with your colleagues or supervisors. Explain your reasons for declining the assignment and engage in a conversation to explore possible alternatives or compromises.

2. Establish Boundaries

Clearly communicating your boundaries and limitations can be crucial in informal settings. While maintaining professionalism, express the workload or personal constraints that prevent you from accepting the assignment. This will help your colleagues and supervisors understand your limitations and allow for better task delegation in the future.

3. Use a Collaborative Approach

In informal work environments, there is often a focus on teamwork and collaboration. When declining a work assignment, offer to help find a solution or suggest alternative approaches that involve collective effort. By taking a collaborative approach, you demonstrate your commitment to the team’s success while avoiding overextending yourself.

4. Utilize Informal Channels

Depending on your work environment, you might have informal communication channels such as chat platforms or team meetings. Utilize these avenues to openly discuss your limitations and express your inability to take on additional work. Having a transparent conversation with your colleagues or supervisors can help foster a supportive and understanding work environment.

Regional Variations

While the strategies mentioned above can be applied universally, it’s important to consider regional differences in workplace culture and communication styles. For example, in some cultures, it may be seen as more appropriate to prioritize work assignments over personal boundaries. It is crucial to adapt your approach based on cultural norms while still maintaining a balance between your work and personal life.

Tips for Saying No to a Work Assignment

Regardless of the formal or informal work environment, here are some additional tips to keep in mind when you need to say no to a work assignment:

• Be assertive: Clearly state your decision without being ambiguous or apologetic.
• Practice active listening: Pay attention to the concerns of your colleagues or supervisors and respond thoughtfully.
• Remain professional: Use a respectful tone and avoid negative or confrontational language.
• Offer alternatives: Suggest other solutions or propose colleagues who may be better suited for the task.
• Consider long-term implications: Evaluate the impact of accepting additional work on your overall well-being and performance.
• Learn to say no in advance: Establish and communicate your boundaries early on to avoid feeling overwhelmed with assignments.
• Focus on your strengths: Understand your capabilities and prioritize tasks that align with your expertise, which benefits both you and the organization.

Remember, saying no to a work assignment does not make you any less of a dedicated employee. Recognizing your limitations and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term productivity and well-being. By employing the strategies and tips outlined in this guide, you will be equipped to handle work assignment requests assertively, respectfully, and effectively.

Related Posts

How to Say "Assignment" in Spanish: Formal and Informal Ways

Learning how to say "assignment" in Spanish can be useful when navigating various situations, whether you're a student, a professional, or simply looking to expand your language skills. In this guide, we'll explore the formal and informal ways of expressing "assignment" in Spanish, along with some regional variations. We'll provide tips, examples, and explanations to help you grasp the nuances of the language. So, let's dive in and enrich our vocabulary!

How to Say "Hindi Assignment" in Hindi: Formal and Informal Ways

Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say "Hindi Assignment" in Hindi! This guide aims to provide you with both formal and informal ways to express this term in Hindi. We will also touch upon regional variations if necessary. Whether you are a student, a language enthusiast, or simply curious about the Hindi language, this guide will equip you with the necessary knowledge and examples to navigate this topic. So let's dive into it!

How to Say Homework Assignment in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to say "homework assignment" in Spanish is essential for students and language enthusiasts alike. Whether you're traveling to a Spanish-speaking country, communicating with Spanish-speaking friends, or studying the language, this guide will provide you with both formal and informal ways to express this concept. While there might be regional variations, we'll primarily focus on universal terms that can be understood across different Spanish-speaking countries. Let's dive in!

How to Say No to a Job Assignment

When you find yourself in a situation where saying no to a job assignment seems necessary, it's important to approach it with tact and professionalism. While declining work can be challenging, it is essential to be assertive without burning any bridges. This guide will provide you with various methods to decline a job assignment, including formal and informal approaches, helping you navigate tricky situations with ease.

How to Say No to an Assignment

Learning how to say no to an assignment can be a challenging task, especially when you want to maintain healthy boundaries and manage your workload effectively. Whether you are faced with an overwhelming workload, lack of interest or ability to take on a particular assignment, or simply need to prioritize your existing commitments, navigating this delicate situation requires finesse. This guide will provide you with both formal and informal ways to say no to an assignment, along with various tips and examples to help you effectively communicate your decision.

How to Say No to an Assignment at Work

Occasionally, you might find yourself in a situation at work where you need to decline or say no to an assignment. Whether it's due to being overwhelmed with other tasks, lacking the necessary skills, or simply feeling that the assignment is not aligned with your responsibilities, it's essential to handle this delicate situation with tact and professionalism. In this guide, we will explore various formal and informal ways to say no, providing you with tips and examples to navigate this challenge.

Guide: How to Apologize for a Late Submission of an Assignment

Submitting an assignment late can be a stressful situation, but it's important to take responsibility and apologize. Whether you need to apologize to a professor, boss, or colleague, this guide will provide you with tips and examples on how to say sorry for a late submission of an assignment. We'll cover both formal and informal ways to apologize, focusing on a warm and sincere tone.

How to Say Thank You for an Assignment

Expressing gratitude for an assignment is not only courteous but also portrays professionalism and appreciation for the effort put in by others. Whether you want to thank your classmates, colleagues, or supervisors for assigning you a task, it's important to use the right words to convey your appreciation. This guide will provide you with formal and informal ways to say thank you for an assignment, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations, if applicable.

Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Arabic Cantonese Chinese Dutch English Farsi Filipino French German Greek Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Irish Italian Japan Japanese Korean Latin Mandarin Mexican Navajo Norwegian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Sanskrit Sign Language Spanish Swahili Swedish Tagalog Tamil Thai Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese

• Privacy Policy

Popular searches

Land your dream job, how to say “no” at work without hurting your career.

Idealist Guest

You know that feeling you get after someone asks you to add just one more thing to your already-full plate? It can be difficult to say “no” when you’re passionate about your work and want to be a team player . You see each project’s potential to achieve your organization’s mission, as well as how the ask in question may benefit your own career trajectory.

But the reality is that we can only do so much. So, how do you say “no” in a way that doesn’t hurt your career or make you feel guilty? How do you know for sure which requests to say “no” to in the first place? Here are some tips to help you navigate those tough decisions.

Don’t respond immediately

The first thing to ask yourself when a new request comes in is, “Am I in the best state right now to respond?”

The worst time to make a decision is when you are tired, stressed , in the middle of something else, or perhaps just really excited about the topic—and that’s usually when you’ll be asked!

Even if you are new to an organization or early on in your career, you can gently let the requestor know that you want to think about the best approach and will respond soon; your thoughtfulness will be appreciated. People often think they want an instant “yes,” but if it means rushed or substandard results, they soon realize they’d have preferred a more thoughtful response.

Think through the request

It’s always worth taking 10-15 minutes to figure out if you should be spending weeks, months, or even just a couple of hours on a new request. To help you gain some clarity, go through the following criteria:

Priority fit. What are my top priorities, and how does this request relate to them? If you don’t know what your priorities are, you are not going to know if the new request fits in. Take the time to revisit the most valuable work you do.

Capabilities fit. How does this fit with your skills and expertise? Take into account both your current capabilities and skills you would like to develop .

Long-term benefit. Where will this work lead, both for the organization and for you, in the long term? What impact could it create? What opportunities could it open up?

Scope. It may be that you can help the requester focus on the most important elements and get the benefits by just doing a small part. Ask yourself, “What 20% of the work in this request will produce 80% of the value?”

Resources. This can be a sticky one, as it can be easy to feel like there are no available resources to accomplish a particular task. However, even when there aren’t extra dollars, there often are newer team members—co-workers, interns, or volunteers—who might get a valuable learning experience from taking this task off your hands. Also, try to think through past work as well as available tools, organizations, and online resources that could be used to complete the request more efficiently.

Timing. When does this work need to get done? If it’s really valuable and needs to be completed soon, you may want to say “yes” and highlight the need to take something else off your plate to make room.

Saying “No,” gently

If after going through these criteria you realize that you can’t commit to a new project, don’t send an email. Instead, have a conversation with the requestor, and think of it as a negotiation as well as a discussion of options. To guide you through, keep these points in mind:

Start with your “why.” For example: “I want to do a really good job on [PRE-EXISTING PRIORITY], so I’m thinking that it would be better if I supervised [VOLUNTEER,INTERN, or CO-WORKER] with this new request. It will also allow them to learn the process and offer beneficial experience.” If you are early in your career you could say, “I am focused right now on learning to do [CURRENT TASK] really well, and want to make sure anything I take on doesn’t prevent me from achieving that goal.”

Be a resource to the requestor. Give them new ideas and/or resources as there’s a chance they may not have fully thought through all of the options available. Offer your ideas about the most valuable part of the request, when is the right time for the work to happen, and what resources might make it easier. For example, say something like, “I know you want to get good feedback from staff on [CURRENT TOPIC]. Instead of doing individual interviews, what if we used an online tool to do an initial survey?”

Be clear on what’s not negotiable. If it’s valuable work you’d most likely be happy to be involved, perhaps just in a limited or different way. An offer of partial or joint involvement can help to soften the “no.” Be clear about how you can be involved, and always try to offer alternatives. For example, “Even though I don’t have the capacity to [LEAD THE PROPOSED PROJECT] right now, I’d be happy to review it.” Or, “Let’s have a brainstorming session with [KEY STAKEHOLDERS] and see if we can get this finished together in a shorter time frame.”

It’s important to make the effort to turn down a job or task that isn’t a fit for you, but to still try to be helpful on every request. If you internalize these habits, an amazing thing happens: you not only help others while also ensuring your career is still moving forward.

Working remotely brings with it many of its own challenges, particularly when you want to decline work requests. Be sure to look at our post, How to Say “No” at Work—Even From a Distance for advice on how to politely decline, even while remote.

About The Author

Cynthia Jaggi is an entrepreneur and leadership expert for people who are looking to create a massive impact. She was named a lean-startup ambassador for her work bringing a lean approach to social impact and her insights have been featured on Business Insider, Women 2.0 and Idealist Careers. Meet Cynthia and get ready to create a more meaningful career & life at cynthiajaggi.com .

This post was contributed by a guest author.

Explore Jobs on Idealist

Master the Art of Declining: How to Say No Politely + Examples

• October 10, 2023

Ah, the subtle art of saying “no”! 

It’s a bit like crafting a gentle let-down in a world that constantly shouts, “Say yes to everything!” 

Imagine being at a buffet, your plate perilously piled high, and here comes Aunt Karen, steaming towards you with her infamous, slightly suspicious-looking casserole. 

Do you grin and bear it, adding more to your already overloaded plate, or do you masterfully and politely decline? 

Well, dear reader, this is your guide on how to navigate through the casseroles of life without overloading your plate and yet, keeping Aunt Karen’s feelings intact! 

Together, let’s dive into a world where saying no doesn’t equal being rude, and discover that there’s a way to refuse with grace, wit, and a dash of charm that keeps every relationship blooming splendidly!

Understanding the Power of No

Embracing the power of no is a subtle art. It’s not merely declining an invitation but a gentle practice of ensuring you preserve relationships while honoring your own boundaries.  When you can’t make it to an event, saying it kindly and considerately doesn’t make you unkind.

Whether it’s mastering how to say no politely over text or learning how to reject a request politely in email, you’re not disappointing, you’re paving the way for understanding and respect.

Navigating through polite declines in both your professional and personal life reflects a keen understanding of your worth and time.

So, let’s delve into this journey, finding empowerment in respectful declines, ensuring you’re never stretched too thin, and always staying true to your values.

General Strategies to Politely Decline

Stepping into the delicate art of how to politely say no is an essential social skill, intertwining kindness with assertiveness. Imagine seamlessly being able to politely say no professionally in an email while maintaining a positive tone . 

The nicest way to say no marries honesty and tact, allowing you to kindly decline without shutting down future opportunities . Whether in business or personal scenarios, saying no gracefully is not a rejection, but a respectful nod to your own boundaries and capabilities. 

So, let’s traverse this path together, unlocking the secret to stress-free and genuine interactions through the mindful practice of respectful declination.

Best Practices How Say No Politely

Embarking on the artful journey of saying no requires a blend of tact, sincerity, and perhaps, a dash of diplomacy. 

The ability to politely decline—whether it’s a professional engagement, a social invitation, or a personal favor—often pivots on your approach, ensuring your message is both gentle and firm.

Below, let’s delve into some practices that can guide you through the various nuances of how to say no politely, weaving through conversations with grace and maintaining amicable relationships even in the realm of refusal.

Express Gratitude

Your journey to mastering the art of how to say no starts with gratitude . Even when you need to say no, expressing appreciation for the offer or request comes first. 

A thankful initial response like “Thank you for considering me” fosters positivity in your interactions.

Be Direct but Kind

Honing the skill of being both direct and kind is crucial. 

Employ the power of phrases like “I must humbly decline” or “I respectfully decline,” showcasing an ability to be straightforward yet gentle , ensuring your message is clear without harboring any potential misunderstandings.

Provide a Brief Explanation

Providing a succinct explanation is a polite gesture. When you’re figuring out how to say I can’t come politely, a short reason ensures the other party feels acknowledged without delving into unnecessary details. 

Something as simple as, “Due to prior commitments, I can’t participate” goes a long way.

Suggest Alternatives

Often, suggesting alternatives when you can’t fulfill a request keeps the interaction constructive. 

Knowing how to decline a request politely while offering another solution ensures the relationship remains collaborative and supportive, even in the context of refusal.

And don’t forget the power of a follow-up . Once you’ve employed the tact of how to say no in a professional way or in a personal context, circling back later on displays ongoing care and consideration for the relationship, and that your polite no was genuinely respectful of both parties’ boundaries.

Specific Scenarios and How to Navigate Them

Navigating through life’s varied scenarios often calls for the nuanced art of politely saying no. Whether it’s deflecting a colleague’s request, declining a friend’s invite, or declining an interview , your skill in delivering a respectful “no” is crucial. 

Join me as we explore a handful of common situations, understanding how to preserve relationships while adeptly maintaining your own boundaries through thoughtful declinations.

Overloaded at Work

Imagine navigating the tricky waters of an overloaded work schedule. When that favorite colleague pings you with yet another favor to ask, employing the skill to reject a task politely in email is essential. 

Employing a blend of kindness and firmness allows you to respectfully decline, ensuring your professional relationships remain unscathed and your workload manageable.

Here’s an email template:

Subject: Regretfully Unable to Take on Additional Tasks

Hi [Manager’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to discuss my current workload as I’ve been assigned numerous tasks and projects, all with impending deadlines.

Despite my best efforts to manage them effectively, taking on any additional responsibilities at the moment may compromise the quality of my work.

Thank you for considering my request, and I’m open to discussing how we can navigate through this busy period together.

Warm regards, [Your Name]

Declining Social Invitations

Now, picture a friend extending a warm invitation to an event you can’t attend. 

Crafting a message where you express how you can’t make it, yet humbly decline with appreciation, conveys respect for their gesture while being honest about your unavailability. 

This allows you to maintain friendships without the guilt of stretching yourself too thin.

Subject: A Raincheck on [Event Name]

Dear [Friend’s Name],

I’m thrilled to be considered for [Event Name]. However, with a jam-packed week on my hands, I must pass this time. Let’s definitely plan something for when my schedule eases up, shall we?

Thank you for the invite, and I hope you all have a fabulous time!

Cheers, [Your Name]

Unsuitable Business Proposals

Dive into the business world, where an unsuitable proposal lands on your desk. 

Knowing how to say not interested politely in business ensures the door remains open for future collaborations while you sidestep opportunities that don’t align with your goals. 

Balancing tact and honesty prevents you from burning bridges and paves the way for potential future endeavors.

Subject: Appreciation and Response to Your Business Proposal

Hello [Sender’s Name],

Thank you so much for presenting us with your proposal regarding [Project/Service Name]. After a thorough review, we’ve decided to decline as it doesn’t align with our current business objectives.

We are thankful for considering us and hope to possibly collaborate on future endeavors that align with both our goals.

Best, [Your Name]

Personal Favors You Can’t Fulfill

And in those moments when someone asks for a personal favor that’s outside your capacity, mastering how to politely decline a request without shutting down the relationship is key. 

It’s an art to say no in a nice way that still expresses appreciation for their trust in you, ensuring the connection remains robust and unaffected by the refusal.

Subject: Heartfelt Apologies for My Unavailability

Thank you for thinking of me regarding [specific favor]. Your trust means the world! Unfortunately, due to [brief explanation, if comfortable sharing], I won’t be able to assist this time.

I’m sending all my best and hope you find the support you need!

Different Modes of Communication

Ah, the digital era has certainly brought a myriad of ways to communicate, hasn’t it? 

Learning how to say no through various channels can definitely be a tricky yet necessary skill to master.

Whether you’re figuring out how to reject politely in an email or learning the ropes on how to say no nicely over text, your ability to weave through the different modes of communication while maintaining politeness is crucial.

• Email : Where knowing how to say no professionally in an email becomes your key to preserving work relationships and managing your workload.
• Text Messages : A casual medium, yet still necessitating an understanding of how to say no politely in a text, ensuring your messages are light yet firm.
• In-Person : An arena where embodying how to say no kindly takes front stage, blending your verbal and non-verbal cues seamlessly.
• Phone Calls : An intimate space where grasping how to say no nicely safeguards relationships while verbalizing your boundaries.
• Social Media : A public platform demanding a knack for knowing how to respectfully decline while maintaining an approachable online persona.
• Professional Letters : A formal mode where mastering how to decline a request politely in written form conveys respect and professionalism.

Every medium demands a slightly different approach, yet the commonality lies in delivering your “no” in a way that is respectful and genuine, irrespective of the channel. 

Your tactful refusals, whether through a quick text or a formal email , pave the way for maintaining harmonious interactions across all platforms of communication. 

So, navigating through these varied pathways, your artful declinations will not only safeguard your time but also ensure your connections remain positively intact.

Addressing Various Requests

Diving into the myriad of requests that might flutter into your daily life requires a toolkit of polite responses , doesn’t it? 

Ensuring you’re prepared with how to reject a request politely in email when your inbox chimes, or equipped with the means to politely decline a request for a favor from a friend, keeps your relationships and sanity in check.

• Workplace Assignments : Maneuver through additional assignments by understanding how to professionally say no to a request, ensuring your workload stays balanced.
• Social Engagements : Navigate through invites by knowing how to say you can't make it, prioritizing your time while valuing friendships.
• Business Proposals: Where grasping how to decline a business proposal politely safeguards future opportunities despite a current no.
• Personal Favors : Equip yourself with ways on how to say no nicely, ensuring your personal boundaries are respected while relationships remain cared for.
• Sales Pitches: A sales pitch is a common scenario where understanding how to say not interested politely ensures your engagement remains positive despite a refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Say No Politely

Navigating the subtle art of saying no brings about an array of questions, doesn’t it?

There’s a rich tapestry of scenarios where we find ourselves pondering, “how do I navigate this situation politely?”

How do you decline a meeting request from a colleague without harming your work relationship?

Ah, the delicate balance of maintaining rapport while asserting boundaries at work! When contemplating how to say no professionally in an email regarding meeting requests, always begin with gratitude.  

A “Thank you for the invite” sets a positive tone right away. Then, be transparent but succinct with your unavailability, like “I have a conflicting commitment at that time.” 

Always ensure to convey appreciation for their understanding, subtly cushioning your refusal with courtesy and transparency.

What’s a polite way to say no to a friend asking for a large loan?

The monetary matter, a tricky one! 

The realm of financial favors demands a unique approach in how to refuse someone politely, especially a friend. Employ a blend of honesty and empathy : “I understand this is a tough time, and I wish I could assist financially, but I’m unable to provide a loan at this time.” 

Adding a bit about being there for them in other ways reinforces your support without conceding to the request.

How do you tactfully say no to a persistent salesperson without being rude?

In instances where a salesperson is persistent, mastering how to say not interested politely becomes essential. 

Asserting “Thank you for reaching out, I understand the value, but I’m not interested in making any purchases” with a firm yet polite demeanor is vital. If follow-ups continue, maintain that composure: “I appreciate your persistence, but my stance remains, and I’d like no further communication on this.” 

Establishing a polite but steadfast boundary safeguards your interests while remaining courteous.

Key Takeaways on How to Say No Politely

Navigating the nuanced world of polite refusal, we’ve uncovered the delicate dance of saying no across varied social and professional arenas . 

Whether dealing with professional commitments or personal pleas, we’ve woven through paths that teach us to uphold clear and firm boundaries while embodying empathy and respect. 

We delved into practices like expressing genuine thanks, maintaining concise explanations, and suggesting alternatives when possible . 

The essence? Your ‘no’ should be a gentle yet steadfast beacon of respect and boundary-setting, enabling you to preserve relationships while safeguarding your own limits. 

Let’s carry this artful skill into all our future interactions, ensuring each ‘no’ is as compassionate and respectful as possible.

Edgar Abong

Table of contents.

Expert level sales and marketing guides and unbiased software reviews. 

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 influno. All rights reserved.

Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Edgar Abong

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

The Workologist

Declining a Work Assignment, With Finesse

By Rob Walker

• Aug. 21, 2014

Send your workplace conundrums to [email protected] including your name and contact information (even if you want it withheld for publication). The Workologist is a guy with well-intentioned opinions, not a professional career adviser. Letters may be edited.

I work for a government agency and have recently been on a short-term assignment supporting a different agency. I’m learning a lot but have felt like a fish out of water; inevitably, I’ve made a few mistakes.

A few weeks ago, an assignment came up on a day when I was 100 percent overwhelmed, handling multiple high-level issues. I almost never turn down assignments, and pride myself on being a team player. But I tried to suggest to my direct superior, in a casual way, that it might not be realistic to expect that I could complete this additional task without sacrificing other work. At my regular job, we’re encouraged to communicate openly with our supervisors about our workloads.

In this case, unfortunately, I think my supervisor told our director that I’d refused the assignment (not entirely true). He spoke to me sternly about supporting our team and how everyone was working extra hours. I’ve clearly fallen out of favor. Was there a better way to have handled this? WASHINGTON

It sounds as if you meant well, and that your position was understandable. Perhaps this offers a reminder that — especially in new situations — the way a message is delivered sometimes matters more than its practical substance. In particular, an ambiguous — or “casual” — message can leave you vulnerable to the worst interpretation.

It may be helpful to consider the improv-comedy tenet of always responding to a fellow performer’s actions and ideas with a “Yes, and ...” attitude. Never reject. Always embrace and then pivot the action in a direction you like better.

In such a situation, one could say: “Sure, I can do that — do you want me prioritize it over this other assignment? Because it may not be possible to do both on the current deadlines.” Or maybe the pivot is different: You’re willing to perform the task, but so-and-so may have the flexibility to get it done faster. The point is to be clear about your positive attitude — and to offer a realistic picture of potential alternatives.

Keep that attitude in mind as you move forward. Apart from proactively signaling what you’ve mentioned here — that you’re learning a lot, and want to be a team player — you might want to sit down with the director to clear the air. Emphasize that this was a mere communication blunder and that it doesn’t reflect your willingness and ability to help the department. You might even ask for advice about the best way to handle competing deadlines in this agency. Either way, minimize discussion of being overworked. It sounds as if that’s already a departmentwide problem. Stress that you want to help solve it.

When Good Intentions Go Bad

I volunteer quite a bit for my children’s schools, our house of worship and our community. So I work with dozens of volunteers. We all give our time in the name of contributing to the greater good, and we understand that we are often amateurs taking on roles as event planners, treasurers, fund-raisers, historians, etc.

That said, every once in a while there are volunteers who do more harm than good. There are many variations on how this can happen — for example, by actually losing money on fund-raisers, or inciting too much drama. How do you best “fire” a volunteer with a long history of chronic issues?

AGOURA HILLS, CALIF.

It is a lovely thing to volunteer. And thus it is particularly tricky to deal with a bad volunteer; it seems churlish to punish someone for a donation of time and effort. But schools, community groups and charitable programs don’t exist for the purpose of serving volunteers. It’s the other way around. And a problem volunteer can have disastrous consequences. If the organizer of a money-losing fund-raiser causes other, competent volunteers to quit, the whole enterprise can be undermined.

So, unpleasant as it may be, proceed as if this were any other organization. First, ensure that there is relative consensus about this person among the broader group. Then consider whether this person has other skills that could be genuinely useful. If it’s purely a personality problem, discuss what can be done to minimize it: Maybe the drama inciter works better with some people than others. And maybe he or she has a particular grievance (an overlooked achievement? a perceived slight?) that could be addressed.

You may want to present the results in the context of a general set of changes, rather than singling out the individual. In other words: “It’s a good time to rotate responsibilities,” as opposed to, “Your bake sale was a catastrophe.” If the person resists, and if old problems persist or new ones emerge, be more direct. Again making it clear that this is a group consensus, point out the issues, note the attempted resolutions and offer this virtuous troublemaker the choice to shape up, or find another cause.

You should proceed in a more deliberate and humane way than the business world sometimes allows. But if none of the above work, you’ll end up in the same place as any other enterprise that’s interested in having a future: The person has to be told that his or her services, while appreciated, are no longer required.

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Avoid Impossible Assignments

• Priscilla Claman

If you’re burning out, undoubtedly you’re aware of it. Burnout occurs when you expend more internal resources and energy than you take in. It’s not just a matter of working hard, which at the best of times can feel exciting and motivating. Burnout is exhausting — whether you are working hard or not. In the […]

• Priscilla Claman is president of Career Strategies, Inc., a Boston-area firm offering career coaching to individuals and career management services to organizations. She is also a contributor to the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Job .

Partner Center

How to politely decline

Apologize first

Don’t beat around the bush, use the actual word, say no twice, if you have to, forward them to someone else, mirror their request, offer an alternative, get back to them, real-life example:, how to decline an invitation, how to decline a wedding invitation samples:, discover on your own, frequently asked questions, how do you say no respectfully, how to politely decline a business offer, is declining an invitation rude.

Making a sincere apology to a customer means that you are admitting your business was at fault. Learn how to apologize, the right way.

Unfortunately, sometimes we have to disagree/refuse to do something for the customer. Here are a few tips on how to politely decline.

Experiencing customer complaints on social media? Use our social media complaint reply templates to reduce churn and restore trust.

Building a successful customer engagement strategy and scaling customer support with processes is crucial for improving customer retention. Personalization and authenticity are key, and businesses can use customer data to enhance engagement. Developing and documenting processes for customer support can increase efficiency and productivity, and using ticketing software like LiveAgent is an affordable option. A thoughtful customer engagement strategy can lead to increased loyalty, retention rates, and revenue. It's important to handle angry or disappointed customers calmly and with empathy, offering sincere apologies and alternative solutions. Taking the initiative to solve problems and learning from mistakes are also key in improving customer service processes.

You will be in Good Hands!

How to Refuse to Do Somebody Else's Job at Work

• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

How to Respond to an Annoyed Boss

How to confront a boss about lazy coworkers, leaving a job because of a hostile workplace.

• How to Bring Up the Topic to a Boss About an Abusive Co-Worker
• How to Deal with a Supervisor Who Attacks Your Character

Bosses don't like to hear employees say, “That's not my job.” Use caution and employ your best judgment in evaluating whether you want to pitch in because the request is a reasonable part of teamwork or whether you are being taken advantage of by your boss or your coworkers.

While complying with an occasional request from your supervisor to assist with tasks that are not part of your job description is part of being a good employee, there are occasions when you have every right and, in fact, are obligated to refuse to take on someone else's work load.

Asking a coworker to do something that's not part of her job isn't a problem if the person asking is in a jam and the work isn't that difficult. However, a coworker who takes advantage of your generous nature or tries to pass off more responsibilities should cause you to stand up for yourself.

Additionally, an employer who tries to saddle you with additional or unfamiliar work to avoid hiring more people is taking unfair advantage and should be confronted, recommends career coach, Melody Wilding .

Review Your Job Description

You can start your process of handling this situation by getting a copy of your formal, written job description from human resources, if one exists, and familiarize yourself with your specific responsibilities. This will clarify whether you are being asked to do something outside the realm of your responsibility, and will give you documentation to take to your boss in the event you need to protest the addition of someone else's workload.

If no such job description exists, or includes the fine print wording, "and other duties as assigned," talk directly to your immediate supervisor for clarification of your assigned responsibilities.

Sometimes people take advantage of coworker leaving and dump his work on you. Learning how to deal with coworkers who pass the buck is easier if you can maintain a cordial relationship with colleagues if you are friendly and polite in the way you decline a request to take on additional work.

Speak Up Quickly

The longer you do the work you don't think you should be doing, the harder it will be to get it removed from your plate. Note your objection as soon as a request for additional work is made.

For example, if a coworker stops by your desk and asks you to take over managing several of her customer service accounts because she is too busy to do them herself, immediately respond that you are also too busy to take on any additional clients. Smile and stay positive during this exchange. For example, you could say, "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I have too much on my plate to be of any help to you."

Is It Even Approved?

Another way to handle the situation is to tell a workload-dumping colleague that you need confirmation from your supervisor before taking on her job responsibilities. This may stop the colleague in her tracks. If not, it gives you the opportunity to go to your boss and get clarification about your specific job responsibilities.

For example, "Susan asked me to take over several of her accounts. I'm not familiar with her clients and I don't have any additional free time, so I'm coming to you for direction on how to tell her I can't take over her work."

Ask For Help

One way to point out that you should be doing something is to let your boss know you don't know if you're qualified or trained to do it correctly. Use extreme caution if a supervisor or manager directs you to do something you are not qualified or trained to do.

This is especially important if the task is potentially dangerous, such as operating a piece of heavy machinery. Respond by saying something like, "I'm not qualified to run the crane and I don't want to risk injuring someone or damaging expensive equipment."

Be Careful About Volunteering

Be careful about letting the issue slide if your boss directs you to take over a substantial portion of someone else’s workload to cover a downsized position. If your supervisor asks you to pitch in for a short period of time, request additional compensation for your increased responsibilities.

A long-term transfer of responsibilities should be addressed in a private conversation with your boss. Explain that the additional workload is impeding your productivity and the quality of your overall work. Ask for a specific timetable on when the responsibilities will be transferred to another party, and decide if that is something you can reasonably handle.

If it is not, firmly tell your boss you are unable to comply with the request. Before you do this, talk to an employment attorney. Employers usually have the right to change your job description at will if the extra work isn't illegal or completely unrelated to your position, according to HR expert, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. writing for USA Today .

• USA Today: Can an employer ask you to do tasks not in the job description of a new position?
• Melody Wilding: 4 Times You Should Say No to Additional Responsibilities at Work
• You can maintain a cordial relationship with colleagues if you are friendly and polite in the way you decline a request to take on additional work.
• Bosses don't like to hear employees say, “That's not my job.” Use caution and employ your best judgment in evaluating whether you want to pitch in because the request is a reasonable part of teamwork or whether you are being taken advantage of by your boss or your coworkers.

Lisa McQuerrey has been an award-winning writer and author for more than 25 years. She specializes in business, finance, workplace/career and education. Publications she’s written for include Southwest Exchange and InBusiness Las Vegas.

Related Articles

How to deal with a coworker who refuses to help, how to deal with insults at work, how to not let co-workers boss you around, why is it important to work within your job description, how to tell a boss about job dissatisfaction, how to negotiate a raise while assuming more responsibility, how should employees react to conflict with their supervisors, how to tell a co-worker to stop using a cell phone on the job, how to deal with coworkers who pass the buck, most popular.

• 1 How to Deal With a Coworker Who Refuses to Help
• 2 How to Deal With Insults at Work
• 3 How to Not Let Co-Workers Boss You Around
• 4 Why Is It Important to Work Within Your Job Description?

Please turn on JavaScript in your browser It appears your web browser is not using JavaScript. Without it, some pages won't work properly. Please adjust the settings in your browser to make sure JavaScript is turned on.

How to politely decline a job offer.

Senior Associate, JPMorgan Chase

For many job seekers, the feeling of finally getting an offer letter may feel exhilarating and provide a sense of much needed relief. But what should you do if you want to reject a job offer for whatever reason? It may feel awkward to turn down a job offer after undergoing multiple rounds of interviews, but there are a range of reasons you might need or want to.

"Nearly 90 percent of candidates said they have exited a hiring process due to at least one mismatch in employee value proposition preferences," Jamie Kohn, senior research director at Gartner’s HR practice, said in a conversation with The Society for Human Resources Management . "This includes compensation and benefits, but also things like flexibility in working hours, career pathing, skills development, team diversity and management style."

There are many reasons you might want to decline a job offer. These include:

• The salary being offered isn’t sufficient for you
• The location of the job doesn’t work for you
• The job doesn’t offer enough flexibility for your needs
• The benefit package of the job isn’t sufficient for you
• The job doesn’t offer enough vacation time for your needs
• You got a sense during the interview process, that the role isn’t the right fit for you
• You got a sense during the interview process, that the company culture isn’t the right fit for you
• You got a competing job offer that you feel is a better fit
• You don’t believe the role offers growth potential

If you find yourself in one of these scenarios, or a different one that is leading you to want to decline a job offer, here’s how you may want to handle it.

How to decline a job offer because of salary

Sometimes, a job offer will feel like a match in terms of team culture, responsibilities, and even work-life balance. However, the one sticking point stopping you from accepting an offer is that the salary offered to you isn’t in your target range.

If you’d like, after you receive an official offer, you can try negotiating the offer after doing your due diligence in terms of what you believe the role should pay, the cost of living in your location, and the unique value you bring to the role.

However, even after an attempt at a salary negotiation , you may find that the company can’t meet your salary expectations, and because of that you may decide to decline the role.

To do this politely, you’ll likely want to let the hiring manager know respectfully, either through email or a phone call, that you’ll be declining the job offer. Many employment experts believe that it’s perfectly acceptable to communicate the reason you’re declining the offer. In this case, it’s because you can’t make the salary work for you.

Dr. Amantha Imber wrote in Harvard Business Review : “It’s essential to provide a clear reason for your decision, while ensuring that your explanation is not perceived as harsh or overly critical of the employer. The clarity in your reason helps the employer understand your perspective and can even provide them with valuable feedback for future reference.”

Since you never know if the company will end up having another role that fits your salary expectations, it may be wise to show your gratitude for the offer and express your interest in keeping in touch with the hiring manager.

How to decline a job offer because of a competing offer

If you receive a better competing job offer and need to decline another job offer, there are a few routes you can take. You can decide to use that better competing offer to negotiate the initial offer, or you may decide that the competing offer is the role you want to take and decide not to negotiate.

To decline one of the job offers politely due to a better competing offer, thank the employer for their offer and explain (without too much detail) that you’ve accepted another position that’s a better fit. It’s courteous to mention the time and effort the company invested in you and to express hope for future interactions. Keeping the tone positive may help to ensure that the relationship with the company remains amicable.

How to decline a job offer you’ve already accepted

If you’ve already accepted a job offer and then find yourself in a position where you want to decline the offer (say, another better offer comes around after you accepted the initial offer or you decide to stay in your current job) you may decide to decline a job offer that you’ve already accepted.

There are a few approaches to consider if you decide you ultimately want to do this. You may choose to provide an honest reason why you’re declining the offer. You may also choose to consider a softer approach and provide a vague explanation for why the position is no longer tenable for you (like blaming extenuating personal circumstances). It’s not considered great etiquette to decline a job offer you’ve already accepted, so no matter what you do make sure to tread delicately.

As with any other scenario where you may have to decline a role, you want to be polite and respectful of the time the hiring team invested in you. And above all else, if you want to decline a job offer after you’ve already accepted, don’t wait too long to do it.

How to write an email declining a job offer

While there isn’t one golden email template for declining a job offer, here are a few elements you may want to consider including:

• Express gratitude for the opportunity
• Provide your rationale for declining a role (make this brief and be delicate!)
• Keep the lines of communication open by expressing that you want to stay in contact and be considered for future opportunities should there be a better fit down the road

A few more tips for writing this email:

• You’ll want to make sure you don’t wait too long and don’t keep the hiring manager in the dark about your decision
• Keep the length of the email to a couple sentences
• Include your phone number and other contact details if you do want to stay in touch

How to decline a job offer over the phone

If you choose to let a hiring manager know over the phone about your decision to decline a job offer, here are a few tips to consider:

• Have notes prepared so you stay on message
• Express your gratitude for the job offer
• Express your reasoning for why you’re declining the offer
• Share your desire to remain connected to the hiring manager

Final thoughts

The ability to turn down a job offer politely will help you to avoid burning professional bridges. At the end of the day, if you find yourself in an uncomfortable scenario where you must turn down a job offer, know that it’s a part of the process. Just like hiring managers are looking for the best candidates, you’re the engineer of your career and need to seek out roles that meet your personal and professional ambitions. Doing this may involve turning down job offers along the way.

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

• Publications
• Our Methods
• Short Reads
• Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

2023 saw some of the biggest, hardest-fought labor disputes in recent decades

The nearly four-month actors’ strike against major Hollywood production studios in 2023 was the second-largest labor dispute in the United States in at least three decades, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of federal data through Nov. 30.

By the time the strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) ended on Nov. 8, it had idled 160,000 workers for 82 workdays. That resulted in 13,120,000 “days idle,” a metric that the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses to describe the impact of work stoppages.

Given the spate of high-profile labor disputes in 2023 and what’s been reported as unions’ greater willingness to confront management , we wanted to take a closer look at the history of labor actions in the United States.

Our source for this analysis was the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ database of “major work stoppages,” which has summary figures starting in 1947 and detailed monthly information about individual stoppages since 1993. The agency defines as “major” any work stoppage that involves at least 1,000 workers and lasts at least one full shift during the work week. (The term “work stoppage” encompasses both strikes by workers and lockouts by management. The workers involved may or may not be unionized.)

Unless the context indicates otherwise, all of the analyses in this post are based on stoppages beginning in a given calendar year, rather than all stoppages in effect during a calendar year.

When calculating total days idled, the BLS counts only days that employees are normally scheduled to work (Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays) but don’t work due to a stoppage. The agency adjusts its calculations if the number of workers involved changes during a stoppage.

Since 1993, when the BLS began keeping detailed monthly statistics on major work stoppages, the only labor dispute to have a greater impact was a strike over actors’ pay for appearing in commercials by the then-separate SAG and AFTRA in 2000. (The two unions merged in 2012.) That strike, against the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers, lasted nearly six months, resulting in 17.3 million days idle and, reportedly, considerable bitterness and division among union members .

Beyond the SAG-AFTRA strike, 2023 was the most active year overall for major labor disputes in more than two decades, according to our analysis of BLS data on major work stoppages. The BLS defines major stoppages as those involving 1,000 or more workers and lasting at least one full shift during the Monday-Friday work week.

Through the end of November, 30 major stoppages had begun in 2023 – the most of any year since 2000. The 2023 stoppages involved a total of 464,410 workers, the second-most since 1986. And several of last year’s stoppages lasted long enough to generate 16.7 million total days idle, more than any year since 2000.

Besides the SAG-AFTRA strike, other significant stoppages last year included:

• The Writers Guild strike against the same group of production companies (11,500 workers idled for 102 workdays; 1,173,000 days idle)
• The United Auto Workers strike against Ford, General Motors, Mack Trucks and Stellantis (53,700 workers, 43 workdays, 925,900 days idle)
• A strike by a coalition of unions against health care company Kaiser Permanente (75,600 workers, three workdays, 226,800 days idle)

While 2023 stands out against the past few decades for its labor strife, it appears less turbulent if one goes back further in U.S. history.

From 1947, the earliest year for which the BLS provides comparable annual data on major work stoppages, through the 1970s, the U.S. routinely experienced hundreds of stoppages a year. Hundreds of thousands or even millions of workers were involved.

The peak was arguably in 1952, when there were 470 major work stoppages involving more than 2.7 million workers. Those stoppages created 48.8 million days idle, the third-most on record. (The top year for days idle was 1959, with 60.9 million, but there were fewer major stoppages that year and fewer workers were involved.)

Whether measured by raw numbers, workers involved or days idle, major work stoppages generally became less common after about 1980 – though not without occasional upsurges. The U.S. economy grew away from its heavily unionized manufacturing sectors , and the federal government under then-President Ronald Reagan turned hostile to organized labor . In 2009, for instance, only five major work stoppages took place, involving a total of just 12,500 workers.

In more recent years, relatively few major stoppages have occurred in traditional manufacturing sectors. From January 2018 through November 2023, just 13 out of 122 major stoppages (11%) involved manufacturing. That compares with 77 out of 176 (44%) between 1993 and 1997.

Instead, major work stoppages in recent years have tended to occurr in two service sectors: education and health care. Nearly two-thirds (65%, or 79 out of 122) of all major stoppages that began between January 2018 and November 2023 were in those two sectors.

The information sector has also seen notable labor actions in recent years. For instance, before the SAG-AFTRA strikes, there was a six-week strike against Verizon in 2016 (36,500 workers involved, 1.2 million days idle) and a strike by 1,800 electrical workers against cable-television giant Charter Communications that started in 2017 and lasted over five years .

• Business & Workplace
• Economy & Work
• Employee Benefits

Majorities of adults see decline of union membership as bad for the U.S. and working people

A look at black-owned businesses in the u.s., from businesses and banks to colleges and churches: americans’ views of u.s. institutions, older workers are growing in number and earning higher wages, striking findings from 2023, most popular.

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

• Age & Generations
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Family & Relationships
• Gender & LGBTQ
• Immigration & Migration
• International Affairs
• Internet & Technology
• Methodological Research
• News Habits & Media
• Non-U.S. Governments
• Other Topics
• Politics & Policy
• Race & Ethnicity
• Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy

• Implementing Project Financial Management and Grants Management

How Task Dates Work with Assignment Dates

Project application administrators can specify the task planned dates and task assignment date options when defining project planning options. These settings determine how planned and transaction dates are set for tasks and how dates are set for task assignments.

Use Task Planned Dates as Task Assignment Dates

When you select this option, task assignments last for the entire task duration. Let's say the project manager set the task duration from January 1 through May 31, and the task assignment is from February 1 through March 1. The task assignment now runs from January 1 until May 31.

If you don't select this option, the project manager can set the task assignment dates in the project and edit individual task dates.

Automatically Roll Up Task Planned Dates

When you select this check box on the Edit Project Plan Type page, task dates automatically roll up to project dates on the financial plan. On the Manage Financial Project Plan page, the project manager can edit the planned dates for the lowest level tasks. Planned dates at the summary and project levels are the earliest start date and last end date of the tasks.

• Select the Define Common Financial Task Dates Across Work and Financial Planning check box. To select this check box, navigate to the Setup and Maintenance work area and search for the Manage Project Management Implementation Options task.
• Run the Update Financial Project Plan and Progress action on the Manage Project Plan page if the Define Common Financial Task Dates Across Work and Financial Planning check box isn’t selected.

When the Define Common Financial Task Dates Across Work and Financial Planning check box isn’t selected and the Automatically roll up task planned dates check box is selected, you can plan task dates outside of the project dates and run the Update Financial Project Plan and Progress action on the Manage Project Plan page to sync the dates on the financial plan.

• Updates the planned finish date of the financial task to 8/31/23 and rolls up the project finish date as per the task finish date to 8/31/23 on the Manage Financial Project Plan page.
• Displays 8/31/23 as the finish date of the project on the Manage Financial Project Settings page.

Synchronize Task Transaction Dates with Planned Dates

When you select this option, planned dates and task transaction dates are synchronized. The transaction dates always match task planned dates, plus or minus the number of days specified as a date adjustment buffer.

If you don't synchronize the dates, the project manager can edit the project, summary, and lowest-level transaction dates in the project. This table lists the available options for each task level.

You can modify the date synchronization option until you charge transactions to a task. Let's see the implications of changing between options.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

What biologists see from the shores of the drying Great Salt Lake

Kirk Siegler

Scientists Carly Biedul, Bonnie Baxter and Heidi Hoven look for migratory birds on the eerily dry south shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

Scientists Carly Biedul, Bonnie Baxter and Heidi Hoven look for migratory birds on the eerily dry south shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Drive west of this sprawling high desert city, past its newly built international airport, through a series of locked gates into the Audubon's Gillmor Sanctuary and it's like entering another world.

Or maybe better put, an other worldly landscape: the vast, and drying wetlands along the Great Salt Lake, the largest saline lake left in the western hemisphere, some fifty miles long and thirty wide.

"It's quite an adventure to get out here," says Carly Biedul, a wildlife biologist at nearby Westminster University. She's part of a team of scientists who have been tracking the lake's decline amid the West's record megadrought made worse by climate change. They've been conducting weekly trips to various sampling and study sites for the last several years at the remote lake that only recently started making international headlines due to its sharp decline.

Even since its water levels peaked in the 1980s, the Great Salt Lake has always had this mysterious vibe. It's shallow and boggy. It can stink, especially in the heat of summer.

But zero in right here at this private sanctuary - where steady water still flows in due to a complex web of agreements - and it soon becomes clear how alive this ecosystem can be and how hugely important of a stopover it is for migratory birds.

Wetlands ecologist Heidi Hoven looks for shorebirds at the Gillmor Sanctuary, which she helps manage. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

Wetlands ecologist Heidi Hoven looks for shorebirds at the Gillmor Sanctuary, which she helps manage.

Water diversions by farmers and Utah's booming population are seen as some of the biggest culprits behind the Great Salt Lake's decline. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

Water diversions by farmers and Utah's booming population are seen as some of the biggest culprits behind the Great Salt Lake's decline.

Despite recent moisture, the lake is still shrinking

2023 brought record snow to Utah, and a healthy spillover of runoff into the imperiled lake. Scientists warn the lake has already shrunk nearly in half from its historical average.

"It's because of so many years of drought and climate change and water diversions, and we can't keep going like that," says Bonnie Baxter, director of the Great Salt Lake Institute.

But she says there's still time to reverse its decline. The last two years has bought the state some time. Researchers here are already detecting sharp declines in shorebird populations such as burrowing owls and snowy plovers. As the lake and its wetlands dry, the brine shrimp the birds feed on are dying out.

"For these birds that queue into these saline habitats, there are fewer places for them to go," says Heidi Hoven, a wetlands ecologist who helps manage the Gillmor. "All the saline lakes here in the West, and many in the world, are experiencing this loss of water and in essence that relates to a loss in habitat."

Left: the Great Salt Lake is an important stopover for scores of migratory shorebirds. Right: as the lake dries, predators like coyotes are appearing in areas that used to be underwater. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

There are plenty of culprits behind the lake drying up

Scientists say the West is believed to be as dry as it's been in 1200 years. The megadrought made worse by climate change has been contributing to the Great Salt Lake's decline. But agriculture usually bears the bulk of the blame. Upstream water diversions for expanding alfalfa farms and dairies has meant less and less flows into the lake. Utah's population is also booming. Hoven says development is now running right up to the sanctuary.

"You can actually see it over your shoulder," she gestures. "It's this advancement of large, distribution warehouses that are within a mile from the sanctuary now where it used to be open land."

A short, bumpy ride later along a rutted out dirt track, Hoven pulls to a stop at a favorite vista. The setting sun is casting an eerie orange glow over the distant mountains that ring the dry lake bed. It stretches for miles with just a few pools of water here or there.

Scientists Heidi Hoven, Senior Manager at the Gillmor Sanctuary and Audubon Rockies and Bonnie Baxter, Director at The Great Salt Lake Institute, look for small flies at a bird sanctuary where many species of birds are affected by the recession of The Great Salt Lake. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

Scientists Heidi Hoven, Senior Manager at the Gillmor Sanctuary and Audubon Rockies and Bonnie Baxter, Director at The Great Salt Lake Institute, look for small flies at a bird sanctuary where many species of birds are affected by the recession of The Great Salt Lake.

Wetlands ecologist Heidi Hoven looks for small flies at a bird sanctuary where many species are in decline due to the alarming drying of the Great Salt Lake. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

Wetlands ecologist Heidi Hoven looks for small flies at a bird sanctuary where many species are in decline due to the alarming drying of the Great Salt Lake.

It's beautiful but also eerie, even for the trained eye of wildlife biologists like Biedul, who make weekly research trips to the lake.

"Otherworldly is a great word," she says. "It's crazy. We're at Great Salt Lake right now but there's no water. The other places where I go and sample there's water there at least. But here we're still at the lake and it's dry."

Hoven chimes in, solemnly.

"It's just so shocking, and you know, it's a shock to me every time I see it," she says. "But to see someone view it for the first time. You can really see them taking it in. You never thought you could see this dryness."

The state is being galvanized into action

But all this shock and alarm, the scientists say, may be good. It's pressuring state leaders into action. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has pledged the lake won't dry up on his watch. The state legislature has put upwards of a billion dollars lately into water conservation programs, most geared to farmers.

"For generations the lake was seen as kind of this dead thing that just happens to be there and will always be there," Cox told NPR recently. "And now that people are realizing there's a potential that it might not always be here, that's gotten people's attention in a positive way."

Wildlife biologist Carly Biedul of the Great Salt Lake Institute closes the last of many gates to the protected Gillmor Sanctuary along the south shores of the Great Salt Lake. Lindsay D'Addato for NPR hide caption

Wildlife biologist Carly Biedul of the Great Salt Lake Institute closes the last of many gates to the protected Gillmor Sanctuary along the south shores of the Great Salt Lake.

Everything from lake effect snow for the lucrative ski industry, to mining, to air quality depends on the lake's survival. Recent publicity around the crisis has raised public awareness but also started to bring more money which could lead to more comprehensive research that could inform everything from strategic action plans to save the lake to just understanding how the remaining migratory birds are coping.

Heidi Hoven, the wetlands ecologist, sees the shorebirds as a key indicator species.

"We have so much more to understand about what their needs are," she says. "In these changing times, it's really highlighting the need to understand these things quickly."

The scientists say the last two winters may have bought Utah a little time, but no one in the West is counting on another good snow year next year.

• Great Salt Lake
• migratory birds

Israeli artist and curators decline to show work at Venice Biennale, call for ceasefire

'the time for art is lost': artist ruth patir, curator also call for return of all hostages being held.

Social Sharing

The artist and curators representing Israel at this year's Venice Biennale announced Tuesday they won't open the Israeli pavilion exhibition until there is a ceasefire in Gaza and an agreement to release hostages.

Their decision was posted on a sign in the window of the Israeli national pavilion on the first day of media previews, just days before the Biennale contemporary art fair opens Saturday.

"The art can wait, but the women, children and people living through hell cannot," the curators said in a statement together with the artist that expressed horror at both the plight of Palestinians in Gaza and relatives of hostages taken from Israel.

Israel is among 88 national participants in the 60th Venice Biennale, which runs from April 20 to Nov. 24. The exhibition in the Israeli national pavilion was Motherland by artist Ruth Patir.

• Meet the Montreal-based filmmaker who'll be the youngest artist at the Venice Biennale
• To compete in Eurovision, Israel had to change its song. Some say it should still be banned

There was no immediate comment from Biennale organizers.

Even before the preview, thousands of artists, curators and critics had signed an open letter calling on the Biennale to exclude the Israeli national pavilion from this year's show to protest Israel's war in Gaza. Those opposed to Israel's presence had also vowed to protest onsite.

Italy's culture minister had firmly backed Israel's participation, and the fair was opening amid unusually heightened security.

Why Israel had to change its Eurovision song to compete

Written in English, the announcement Tuesday of Israel's delayed opening read: "The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a ceasefire and hostage release agreement is reached." Two Italian soldiers stood guard nearby.

In a statement, Patir said she and the curators wanted to show solidarity with the families of the hostages "and the large community in Israel who is calling for change."

"As an artist and educator, I firmly object to cultural boycott, but I have a significant difficulty in presenting a project that speaks about the vulnerability of life in a time of unfathomed disregard for it," Patir said in the statement.

The Israeli government believes there are about 130 hostages remaining in Gaza since Oct. 7, when militant group Hamas led a deadly attack in southern Israel.

Israeli government helps fund work

Patir, whose work for Venice includes video of ancient fertility statues as a commentary on women's roles, was chosen last year to represent Israel by a panel of arts professionals appointed by the Israeli culture ministry.

Israel's exhibit was partially funded by the Israeli government. It made no immediate comment on Patir's decision to shutter the show.

Adriano Pedrosa, the Brazilian curator of the main show at the Biennale, praised the gesture.

"It's a very courageous decision," Pedrosa told The Associated Press. "I think it's a very wise decision as well," because it is "very difficult to present a work in this particular context."

The national pavilions at Venice are independent of the main show, and each nation decides its own show, which may or may not play into the curator's vision.

Palestinian artists are participating in events in Venice outside of the main exhibition, and three Palestinian artists' works are to appear in Pedrosa's main show, titled Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere, which has a preponderance of artists from the global south.

• Group Chat Why have more than 80 artists and speakers pulled out from SXSW?
• Israel's war with Hamas brings renewed focus to BDS movement and role of boycotts to effect change

Pedrosa, the artistic director of Brazil's Sao Paulo Museum of Art, said one of the Palestinian artists — New York-based Khaled Jarrar — was not physically in Venice because he couldn't get a visa.

Geopolitical events have impacted the Biennale before. The festival discouraged, and then banned, South Africa's participation during apartheid. Russian artists withdrew their participation in 2022 to protest the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, and the Biennale said Russia did not request to participate in this year's edition.

Related Stories

• Israeli troops recover body of hostage in Gaza as Hamas plans to attend ceasefire talks

• FanNation FanNation FanNation
• SI.COM SI.COM SI.COM
• SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit SI Swimsuit
• SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook SI Sportsbook
• SI Tickets SI Tickets SI Tickets
• SI Showcase SI Showcase SI Showcase
• SI Resorts SI Resorts SI Resorts

Twins' Jhoan Duran getting closer to rehab assignment

The Minnesota closer is 'feeling good' and threw 21 pitches against live hitters Friday.

• Author: Nolan O'Hara

In this story:

Twins closer Jhoan Duran was scheduled to throw 20 pitches against live batters ahead of Friday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers as he continues to work his way from an oblique injury that forced him to start the season on the 15-day injured list. 

Duran instead threw 21 pitches. 

“He was supposed to throw 20, and he wanted an extra one, so tells you he’s feeling good,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. 

Baldelli said Duran looked comfortable throwing the ball, his stuff looked normal and he was delivering the ball around the zone the way they had hoped he would. Baldelli expects Duran to get a couple of rehab outings soon as he inches closer to returning. 

“We should see him back soon, and I think that does a lot of good things for our team and our bullpen and pushes guys into some other roles, and our bullpen gets even thicker at that point,” Baldelli said. 

Duran, 26, had a 2.45 earned-run average last season, striking out 86 batters while allowing 46 hits and 25 runs across 62 1/3 innings. Last July, Duran threw the fastest pitch in the majors in five years when he delivered a 104.8 mph heater. 

Kepler ‘close’

Twins right fielder Max Kepler began his rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A St. Paul, going 1 for 3 from the plate in the Saints’ 6-5 loss at the Indianapolis Indians. Baldelli said Kepler is “getting pretty close” to returning to the Twins.

Kepler is in the lineup for the Saints again Friday and will play right field. 

“I don’t know what day he’s coming back. I think Sunday/Monday is a possibility,” Baldelli said. “But he’s going to play again, he’s going to get some time in the outfield.” 

• Baldelli said Carlos Correa’s rehab has gone “pretty positively” but that Correa hasn’t gotten to rotational movements yet. But that could be close, Baldelli said. 

Latest Inside the Twins News

Twins' Anthony DeSclafani to undergo further testing for injury

Jose Miranda among three Twins spring cuts Monday

Minnesota Twins Dealing with Multiple Serious Injuries, Including to Star Closer

Three Twins pitchers, including Jhoan Duran, to start season on injured list

Byron Buxton scratched from lineup with back tightness