The most effective employees are not those who agree to everything, but those who know how to protect their time and concentration. A well-chosen refusal can prove very useful for one's career.
The most effective employees are not those who agree to everything, but those who know how to protect their time and concentration. A well-chosen refusal can prove very useful for one's career.
Even an innocuous request can seriously disrupt the workday. What seems like 'quick help' can turn into three emails, a meeting, and a deadline you never initially agreed upon. Penelope Meniere, National Marketing Manager at Workshop17, discusses why many specialists struggle with saying no and why protecting one's working capacity is one of the wisest steps in the workplace.
A phrase like 'Hey, could you quickly...' instantly causes anxiety even in the most experienced professionals, yet we keep saying 'yes.' Somewhere in the process, agreement has become an integral part of the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system: we smile, nod, and add the task to the pile.
Saying no at work has come to be perceived as a career equivalent of animal cruelty, so we punish ourselves. A 2025 Headway study showed that one in four employees believes that the ability to say 'no' is their biggest weakness in the workplace. In the context of an unstable labor market and the ability of artificial intelligence to agree to everything, taking on another task can seem like the safer option.
Unfortunately, despite technological progress, we remain in a work culture that equates being busy with value and productivity. If a person does not look overloaded, there is suspicion that they are not working at all. Leaving on time can feel like rebellion. Thus, constant availability has become a substitute for efficiency.
Working in co-working spaces, one observes how different teams manage their time, attention, and competing priorities. The most successful specialists are not necessarily those who say 'yes' the most. They are those who clearly understand where best to direct their energy, clearly define their limits, and protect the time needed to do the best work.
The problem is that a request like 'just quickly' is rarely quick. A request for ten minutes can be followed by three subsequent emails, a meeting you didn't know you were going to, and a deadline that now becomes your responsibility. The task may seem insignificant to the person assigning it, but they do not account for the other seventeen small things already on your desk.
It is important to understand: every 'yes' you didn't have the time or energy for does not disappear without a trace. It accumulates on top of the previous task, bringing you closer to burnout. There is also a less dramatic but equally destructive option: you do everything, but nothing is done well. You rush important work, miss details, and spend the evening mentally reallocating an unachievable schedule for tomorrow.
Workplace psychologists call the tendency toward excessive workload 'work overexertion'—a behavioral model where perfectionism, fear of judgment, and a sense of self-worth compel people to keep agreeing even when their calendar is full. If this state is not controlled, it leads to stress, burnout, and decreased employee engagement. The company also suffers losses due to reduced output, increased absenteeism, and staff turnover. When competent people become the automatic answer to any urgent request, organizations often reward their competence with an endless volume of other people's work. Ultimately, the reliable employee either exhausts themselves or becomes resentful.
There is also a lesson for management: if an employee reports being fully booked, the response should not automatically default to motivational speeches about the need to 'stick together.' Sometimes the problem lies in commitments, and sometimes in calculations. There is only a limited number of hours in a workday, and enthusiasm does not create more.
It is acceptable to agree to something when you lack resources, but you must learn to communicate this information correctly. Here are some tips for maintaining mental health at work:
Learning to say 'no' is not permission to become an obstacle in the office. It is a way to protect the time, concentration, and energy needed for quality work. The goal is not to reject everything outside the job description. Careers develop through new challenges, collaboration, and sometimes unexpected tasks. The trick is knowing how to distinguish an opportunity from another person's poor planning that landed in your inbox.
Cuba has announced the reduction of 92 thousand state positions over several weeks. This decision is part of a package of reforms aimed at liberalizing and decentralizing the collapsed national economy.
According to Marrero, this represents the 'first step' in implementing the Law on the Organization of Central State Administration, which will lead to the abolition of several ministries. Marrero explained to deputies that most of the jobs being cut were currently vacant.
The Prime Minister added that in September, the remaining ministries will announce corresponding staff reductions in their departments, although he did not provide specific figures. Previously, the Council of Ministers approved the Draft Law on the Organization of Central State Administration in April, which provides for reducing the number of central governing bodies from 27 to 20, leading to the liquidation of several ministries.
Under this regulatory act, it is proposed to merge the Ministry of Economy and Planning with the Ministry of Finance and Prices, as well as the Ministry of Science and Technology with the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Agriculture with the Ministry of Food Industry. Marrero justified this necessity by stating that 'a country with such a complex situation cannot have such a large structure and so much bureaucracy.'
Cuba has been in a severe crisis for six years, during which the island's gross domestic product (GDP) has decreased by 15%, according to official data. The situation worsened significantly since January of last year when the US increased pressure on the country. Washington uses its policy of maximum pressure to achieve a number of political and economic changes in Cuba.
Labour Laws Enforcement (LLE) has stated its intention to continue its labour law compliance campaigns across Durban, despite criticism stemming from the operation conducted last week in Overport.
Last week, LLE, in collaboration with the police, conducted sweeps at several businesses in Overport, including Romans Pizza, Shell Garage, Star Meats, Frango's Peri-Peri, Baba's, KZN Fasteners, and Sana Linen, among others. The purpose of these visits was to check businesses' compliance with labour legislation and identify undocumented workers.
The operation elicited a mixed response. Some viewed it as necessary for protecting local jobs, while critics accused LLE of selectively targeting businesses owned by Muslims and exceeding its legal authority.
Dr. Faisal Sulaiman, Chairman of the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET), noted that many feel Muslim businesses are facing disproportionate pressure. He emphasized that many Muslims, including recent immigrants, historically work in retail, interacting directly with consumers in areas inhabited by low-income populations and unskilled workers.
Sulaiman added that while all businesses are obligated to comply with labour and immigration laws, enforcement control must remain the prerogative of the state. He suggested that Muslim businesses might become easy targets for anti-immigrant mobs due to their proximity to the unemployed population, or it could be a deliberate target within a more sinister plan.
Despite concerns, Sulaiman insisted that all companies, including those owned by Muslims, must adhere to immigration and labour laws, rectifying past violations. However, he warned that mobs should not have the right to threaten, intimidate, or illegally harass businesses, as law and order must apply to everyone, and mobs cannot replace the state.
The Minara Chamber of Commerce expressed concern over reports of private individuals and unofficial groups interfering in the operations of small and medium enterprises to conduct labour-related inspections. The Chamber strongly urges all companies to fully comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Minimum Wage Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Immigration Act, and other relevant state acts.
The Minara Chamber finds it deeply troubling when unofficial groups conduct such inspections, often accompanied by verbal threats and insults. They reminded that South African labour legislation provides official procedures for handling complaints and conducting inspections by the Department of Employment and Labour, but such checks must proceed in a procedural and productive manner, not turn into media spectacles that could damage business reputation and lead to closure with negative consequences for employees.
The Durban Chamber of Trade and Industry NPC acknowledged the issues related to illegal foreign nationals and labour disputes but cautioned against workplace inspections being carried out by groups without legal authority. CEO Palese Phili stated that while companies must follow labour laws, only authorized state bodies have the right to conduct inspections. She stressed that if the government fails to take action to protect businesses, it will seriously undermine the trust of both investors and entrepreneurs.
Phili called on companies to focus on creating opportunities for South African youth. She stated that businesses need to comply with employment law, actively train young graduates, provide opportunities, and transfer valuable skills so that young South Africans can make a significant contribution to the workforce. This way, companies not only avoid hiring illegal foreign nationals but also upskill youth, improve community lives, and break the cycle of poverty.
LLE National Representative Mtobisi Singa announced that the campaign will continue beyond Overport. He confirmed his firm commitment to further engaging with businesses, promoting adherence to South African labour laws, and advocating for fair and lawful employment practices. Singa emphasized that this is not a one-off project but an ongoing effort by LLE to support workers and lawful employment.
He noted that the unemployment crisis in South Africa has amplified the importance of ensuring labour law compliance. According to Singa, the LLE operation in Overport goes beyond simple checks; it aims to protect the future of South Africa. He concluded that every law-abiding employer contributes to strengthening the economy, and every legally employed worker contributes to tax revenue, UIF, skills development, economic growth, and family stability in South Africa, making law compliance the foundation of economic justice and sustainable job creation.
