Hey Boss, Can We Talk About My Workload?

[Fatherly](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/RKGcSIZWZmUoP6y-siL5Sn56RAo=266) So, you’re overwhelmed at work. The meetings are constant, your to-do list is never quite done. You’ve tried to white-knuckle it — working late and some on the weekends — until the busy period subsides but, unfortunately, it seems like that’s never going to happen. Between work and parenting, you’re spent. Something’s going to give, so before it does you need to talk to your boss. But how do you tell them you have too much work? Bringing up the fact that you’re overwhelmed at work is a delicate conversation, and one that many employees are reticent to engage in for fear that it may make them seem like they can’t hack it as a working parent. What if it puts a target on their back? What if it costs them a promotion? And so the thinking goes. But it’s an essential discussion to have, and right now is actually a good time to have it. WORK %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-tell-your-boss-you-have-too-much-work%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/1HxhDtCSWCWuYJLN1_Bl67ox954=266 [How to Tell Your Boss You Have Too Much Work](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-tell-your-boss-you-have-too-much-work%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/mvvIbfY6AtobRsUajp_4F9WksBA=266) It's a delicate conversation for several reasons. But it's often necessary. [Here's how to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-tell-your-boss-you-have-too-much-work%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/CyOqfvthJp2mQ-X2jEuVCQ4PlNw=266) [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-tell-your-boss-you-have-too-much-work%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/oefracsDSsJIroWY2GYq-8zRGMQ=266) TIPS AND TRICKS Taking Paternity Leave? Provide Your Boss Advanced Notice [Going on paternity leave](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fbenefits-of-paternity-leave%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/GsLziydpPjs6RIZlTW-5lHfvWVc=266) is one of the best things a new father can do. If your company offers it, take it. If you’re considering not taking it, take it. Take it, take it, take it. But, you need to make plans to do it — which is easier in some work situations than others. To maintain your reputation as a team player and retain the management of your most favored projects, you want to let your boss know your plans. Now, the amount of notice you give your manager, either formal or informal, depends on your relationship with them. Have a good relationship with your boss and feel comfortable saying “My wife, partner, or spouse, is pregnant, and I need to take the time off starting x y&z”? Then it’s probably best to tell them as soon as you feel comfortable with the pregnancy or plan. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires leave to be requested at least 30 days in advance, but you might want to give your manager three months’ notice — or even longer if your position is especially difficult to backfill. “The reason to give that advance notice is so that you can say to that person, if I’m going to be gone for six to 12 weeks, I want to make sure that I’m setting the team up for success, and to make sure that I’m not causing any single points of failure,” says Liane Davey, author of The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Organization Back On Track. Even if you have a great relationship with your boss and can speak to them casually about important topics at work, you still want to send a formal email detailing your request to both them and your HR representative, so that you’re officially on the record. [Here’s some more advice for talking to your boss about taking paternity leave.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Ftell-boss-youre-taking-paternity-leave%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/-F5Owr8kCKkbjGXmZ3HJjyD4hRM=266) FURTHER READING - [How to Hit the Ground Running After Paternity Leave](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Freturning-to-work-after-paternity-leave-expert-advice%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/rwk8BpBbe1JGdAARhi9mTmYZ174=266) - ​​​​​[6 Important Skills Everyone Needs to Succeed in the Modern Workplace](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fmodern-work-skills-you-need-to-succeed%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/RnkRouM2I-qIP4xYJ_YoyxD2lpU=266) - [How to Stand Up for Yourself — and Your Family — At Work](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-stand-up-for-yourself-and-your-family-at-work%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/usKNe6aGMaFzZRzQX_KqgSsw2SM=266) MONEY %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Ftips-for-home-buying-in-todays-market%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/6ExJH4Jg9-CsxdkT9qNejbZFJow=266 [8 Expert Tips for Buying a Home in Today’s Absolutely Bonkers Housing Market](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Ftips-for-home-buying-in-todays-market%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/PAv7qd7NQs7tgdYNEXh4Ch5u1_E=266) Winning bids means adapting to the most competitive market in decades. [Here's what to know.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Ftips-for-home-buying-in-todays-market%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/SGelXZBdXExTYL-zGeZQoogqvP8=266) [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Ftips-for-home-buying-in-todays-market%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/Rb5UjjZDa86o_eGxk9kZO1EkmpQ=266) LOVE %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/e5Puu2t_fhsLBqSJEJmXZocZksY=266 [How to Make Better Joint Decisions with Your Partner](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/1750T-CLVHOP-G8BLa3FT7ADsAE=266) Coming together to make decisions is a big part of parenting. [Here’s how to nail the process.](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/Twwih2ESL4bM80xSkTESrDhEWX4=266) [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-joint-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/_yLDawDhm0H1Tmzl5AgH2yv3cgI=266) FURTHER READING - [The Key to Making Big Decisions with More Confidence](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-make-better-decisions%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/VaQKkzgYMjfMRNa-gQoakR7zhXw=266) - ​​​​​[Could Thinking Like a Poker Player Help You Make Better Choices?](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fmake-better-decisions-poker-players%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/LKDJX1gf3B2XrlM6WG301g_DHyM=266) - [How to Have More Productive Financial Conversations with Your Partner](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Flove-money%2Fhow-to-have-productive-financial-conversations-spouse%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/QWwMnDX9Av84iqGx5YCqFJMq8zY=266) PLAY %2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fbluey-villain-tiktok%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/oW8Hv6qnSiV495uB17dIsYNC2mQ=266 [The Horrifying Secret Villain of ‘Bluey’ Has Been Revealed](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fbluey-villain-tiktok%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/2/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/wCobH0ZrKp_JVe-RwmEMkWUy-as=266) You can't unsee [this](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fbluey-villain-tiktok%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/3/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/OMPgGAHLqEJlFipatsMz2kDEy1o=266). [READ THE STORY](%2F%2Fwww.fatherly.com%2Fplay%2Fbluey-villain-tiktok%2F%3Futm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/4/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/mNtE1fVggiooN8_utGpAOBkcop8=266) You're receiving this email because you signed up to receive communications from BDG Media. If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely [unsubscribe](%2F%2Fnewsletters.bdg.com%2Funsub%3Faddress={NAME}%2540gmail.com%26segmentId=fatherlyDaily%26campaignId=01G0FMCX1C-2648%26utm_campaign=26672%26utm_medium=fatherlyDaily%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=c37e7b32-5b18-4c2b-a3ac-adb88aa64d4e/1/010001801f4e7a2b-7aefa649-8852-43d0-bdb0-d277b2eb6ec7-000000/wkA4KV75BgRHinfOwT4ka0WhILk=266). 315 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10010 Copyright 2022 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved.