Saying “do your own work” at work
Why it can fall flat
“do your own work”
People usually say it when someone keeps handing over tasks, but it reads as an accusation of laziness and gives them nothing to act on. The writer mostly wants to say the task is theirs and that their own time is needed for their own work.
Say this instead
- 01
I can't take this on, as it sits with you and my own deadline is tight this week. Please plan to finish it on your side.
Coworker · Chat
Use this with a peer who assumes you will pick up their task, since it names whose task it is and gives a clear reason.
- 02
Could you keep this one on your side? I've got my own deadline to hit today.
Coworker · SMS
Good for a quick, friendly refusal when a colleague texts you a last-minute request.
- 03
Hi Amina, Arjun has asked me to finish the vendor report, which sits in his area. I'd like to keep my time on the budget review due Friday. Could you confirm which should come first? Thanks, Meena
Boss · Email
Choose this to decline extra work without blaming anyone and let your manager set the priorities.
- 04
This one is yours to finish. Please send me the updated version by Thursday afternoon.
Someone you manage · Chat
Useful when someone you manage hands a task back to you, because it is firm, calm and sets a deadline.
- 05
Hi Tyler, Thanks for your note. Preparing the data files falls outside what we agreed for this project, so your team will need to handle that part. We will carry on with the items listed in the agreed scope. Kind regards, Lena
Client · Email
Fits when a client starts treating their own tasks as part of your service, since it points back to what was agreed.
- 06
Since the notes are your action from the meeting, I'll leave them with you.
Coworker · Chat
Helps when a colleague keeps asking you to write up things that were assigned to them.
- 07
We can't fill in the form on your behalf, as it needs your own details and signature. Once it's completed, you can send it back to us here.
Customer · Chat
Try this when a customer asks you to do a step only they can complete, because it tells them what to do next.
Examples
Hi Mohan, Thanks for asking. I can't take on the client slides this week, as they're part of your side of the project and my own report is due Thursday. Please plan to finish them yourself so we stay on track for Friday's review. Thanks, Niamh
I can't take on the client slides, as they're part of your side of the project, and my own deadline is tight this week.
What to avoid
- Listing every time they have left work to you comes across as an accusation.
- Lecturing them about what a good team member should do will only make them defensive.
- Long excuses or made-up reasons invite negotiation, so keep the reason short and true.
- Vague half-refusals like “maybe later” leave the door open when you mean no.
- Posting the refusal in a group channel can embarrass them, so keep it between the two of you.