Don't Be Afraid to Request Relief

Because summer is a seasonally slow time of year in many industries, it's easy to assume that work itself should slow down a bit. Of course, the reality is often the opposite, Alexandra Levit observes. Vacation-depleted offices can mean heavier-than-usual workoads for those who remain to hold down the fort.

A recent entry in Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom blog offered useful advice on how to diplomatically seek help at the office if you find yourself overloaded. She writes:

Sit down with your boss and broach the subject by saying that you’d love his or her help in prioritizing your tasks, because you don’t want to see anything fall through the cracks. This will give everyone the perception that you’re looking out for the best interests of the organization. You can let on that you’re feeling a little discombobulated, but watch your tone. You definitely don’t want to come across as a complainer.

Before taking that step, do a reality check. A request to lighten the workload probably will be taken seriously if it's coming from a good, hardworking teammate. But as Levit says, you'll get little sympathy if you've been putting in short work days or long lunches, or have a reputation for goofing off on company time.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Speak Up. [Water Cooler Wisdom]