https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 03:35:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624764 Wed, 21 Sep 2016 10:12:26 +0000 snowjewelz 2624764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would react the same way! If you can speak freely with them I'd just say that if the numbers are posted daily, then you would know that the criticism is uncalled for/unfair and therefore elicited such a huge reaction from me. I would say that I am absolutely open to productive criticism, know that I am not perfect and that I can always improve, BUT it is a hard pill to swallow when one is overworked and clearly working more cases than others in the same rank, yet not receiving any recognition and instead getting criticism instead is pretty hurtful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624651 Wed, 21 Sep 2016 06:49:47 +0000 Ajsmommy 2624651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and the way my boss disregarded me when I said I had more work was pretty dismissive and acted like I was making it up.... He knows me and knows better!! And he was OBVIOUSLY wrong.... So he flat out lied </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624646 Wed, 21 Sep 2016 06:44:59 +0000 Ajsmommy 2624646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the great advice!!!! I'm on my cell so any respond to everyone as.id like to!</p> <p>But to clarify a few things :<br /> I did actually say bullshit<br /> My bosses are both male<br /> And yes they know I'm pregnant </p> <p>I really appreciate all the feedback and I can relate to a lot of it and will take the advice to heart </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624600 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 22:53:37 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2624600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One more thing...after I cooled down (took a few days) I jumped right back in with asking these peers for help and asking questions and just trying to put it behind me and communicate that I was open to discussing things with them. I did this via email so that there's written evidence that I tried to bridge that gap in a professional and open way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624599 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 22:51:21 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2624599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like their criticism was totally unfair, but the unfortunate thing about unfair criticism is that people still expect you to respond to it totally diplomatically and cool as a cucumber. I was in a situation where I was (I feel) unjustifiably criticized by some professional peers last week and it was pretty demoralizing. I didn't handle it nearly as well as I should have. In hindsight, what I should have done more was calmly reflect the question back at them...on the surface to make sure I was understanding correctly but also to show them just how ridiculous the questions/statements were. Ex., "so you think that X is not effective? And that it would be better for me to do Y? How could I make this happen?" Probably the tone would be the trick....not sarcastic but open. Then that would give them the chance to either clarify, acknowledge the difficulty in their suggestions/critique, or maybe back themselves into a corner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624588 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 21:55:27 +0000 BSB 2624588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I didn't realize she said "bullshit" (I thought it was a thought and not actually said), I was referring to them saying she was defensive and needs to take criticism better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624570 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 21:24:31 +0000 Amorini 2624570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: Good points. I actually didn't read that the OP said bs, but rather implied it, But I agree if language and tone weren't appropriate, it's best to set things straight!! I actually swear like a sailor on an average day but I'm totally G-rated around work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624558 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 21:13:18 +0000 Truth Bombs 2624558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: I don't think it's a manager fail for them to not be accepting of an employee saying "bullshit" in response to criticism. The OP was in the right about the workload, but there is a professional way to address that and calling bullshit isn't it.</p> <p>@Ajsmommy: I would ask to sit down again. I would apologize upfront for the language and the aggressive reaction. I would then thank them for adjusting the work load, but tell them that you think it's important that you all sit down together to come up with a better plan for managing/monitoring work loads in the future so that things are evened out BEFORE you get to the point of being overworked and frustrated. The way things are working now is not fair to you, and not in the best interest of your organization or its clients, so hopefully they will be motivated to change. See what they say to that, and hopefully it opens their eyes to the fact that it's their job to pay attention to the metrics and manage to them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624556 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 21:11:09 +0000 Amorini 2624556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: Sorry to hear about your work woes. Your post title caught my eye because I've been an over-worked professional for most of my career. Some of that is me and I've had to learn how to set boundaries. Some of that is that I really like what I do and I'm good at it! I've also had some really difficult work situations -- mostly crap bosses -- so it's definitely given me some perspective. </p> <p>Two thoughts for you: </p> <p>1) I may be projecting here but your "defensive" manner or whatever was perceived by your boss may be your natural response to feeling totally undervalued. Do you feel that they recognize you for being awesomely competent? I'm guessing not really. How could you feel more valued? What steps can you take to put yourself in a situation where no matter "they" say, you are confident that you are rocking it and they are lucky to have you do so. I think that is how you could feel more balanced when they challenge your productivity and mis-read (or don't read reports. Can't argue with the facts and no need to defend the obvious. </p> <p>As a side note, when my boss misreads a report or talks only about one side of productivity, etc., I speak up right away. I don't let wrong assumptions linger (not anymore!). I usually use humor so that my tone isn't misunderstood (we are often on conference calls). It's easier to use humor when you aren't so charged up!</p> <p>2.) Don't accept that you are defensive (or anything) just because your boss says so. And even if you are defensive or have issues with accepting criticism (as in, your DH and best friends agree with that statement), don't let it define you. It's how you felt in that moment and most people would feel frustrated by an employer questioning their productivity and not seeing how hard your working. In fact, I'm surprised to hear that you got that feedback after it became clear that you have too much on your plate. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the most emotionally intelligent boss....just saying.</p> <p>An old boss used to give me feedback like this when he was frustrated with the way our big project was going. I couldn't see it at the time, but this particular criticism that hung with me for years and I "believed", was just a frustrated person finding fault and not being very gracious.</p> <p>Hoping you can turn this around!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624536 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 20:16:20 +0000 MaryM 2624536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've worked hard to learn how to say no and how to not pick up other people's slack. In planning meetings, I've asked for things to be clearly assigned because previously, I felt like it all fell on me. </p> <p>I've tied to be more realistic with my to do lists so that it's easier for me to say "can someone else help with this? I'm doing these 12 other things"</p> <p>It was definitely harder when I reported to the person who was slacking. Thankfully we got a new boss and she saw I should report directly to her and have a higher title. </p> <p>Do you think you could make a case for a promotion if you're handling that much work?</p> <p>I also made it VERY clear that no, I would not work in my off hours, because frankly, I'm not paid enough for that. If they want to give me a significant raise, I'll be on call. But until then, it better be a major emergency for me to work after hours </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624485 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:34:27 +0000 autumnleaves 2624485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to be my biggest critic so when management has feedback for me I accept it better if that makes any sense. I also will ask them for feedback trying to prepare myself for anything I can do to improve in their eyes.<br /> I think you handled it well.<br /> I've called bullshit at work and have been told that I need to be less reactive, see where others are coming from. I eventually left that job and have been in a position where management is better - they have their flaws but it's nothing compared with where I used to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624476 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:20:38 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2624476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: i just heard the same thing re: workload and being defensive...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624475 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 18:18:58 +0000 avivoca 2624475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: I'm curious if your manager is male or female? I generally don't hear that someone is "too defensive" or "doesn't take criticism well" from male colleagues as they refer to females. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624456 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 17:15:56 +0000 BSB 2624456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: Just curious, was there any ability to push back on your manager when you started taking on more and more cases? </p> <p>In any case, it's awful that your manager said you were defensive and needs to handle criticism better. Possible manager fail. </p> <p>Does your manager know you are pregnant? Are they a male or a female? </p> <p>I completely understand that pregnancy is hard and definitely with the hormones... but pregnancy aside... taking criticism is difficult for me.</p> <p>I'm a workaholic and I've learned to say no if I don't think I can handle something (within reason). I also took a class called 'difficult conversations' and that is what helped me gain a bit of confidence in saying no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624446 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 16:39:34 +0000 Ajsmommy 2624446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: I can talk to them freely...sometimes too freely!! We've worked together for over ten years. I love them really but sometimes they are oblivious. And honestly I don't feel like I should have to point out to them something they should know </p> <p>They did acknowledge the issue after I was proven correct. I probably pushed too.much bc I kept saying I didn't understand for they couldn't know the work loads?! Basically blaming them for not knowing </p> <p>And yes they are making changes. No new cases for me the rest of week and I'm transferring out 25..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624431 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 16:12:51 +0000 josina 2624431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like in this situation you had every right to defend yourself regardless if you handled it correctly, and I totally would've cried to, with or without the pregnancy hormones! Sorry you're dealing with this!!</p> <p>I would just try to listen to everything they have to say first, and then calmly respond. Are you able to talk to management freely? Maybe the next time things get this one-sided / you get sooo overloaded you could bring it up to them first. That way you're being proactive and THEY have to defend themselves as to why it is this way. </p> <p>Did they at least acknowledge there was a problem? Are they going to fix it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/professionals-who-are-over-worked#post-2624411 Tue, 20 Sep 2016 15:31:47 +0000 Ajsmommy 2624411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How do you take criticism about your work product?</p> <p>Here's the low down : I'm the highest level before management. There are only two of my position in my office of 30 people. At this level I handle bigger /more difficult /more time consuming assignments.</p> <p>The other person in my position had 64 cases. I have 165.</p> <p>I was called in and asked why some of my numbers were not up to par. I said I'm busy, I have a larger work load than others. I was told no..(This is where I need help)... I said "bullshit"</p> <p>So the numbers were pulled and I was proven to be right. But it had already deteriorated and I started the beloved frustrated crying. I excused myself, pulled it together and went back.</p> <p>I was told I'm defensive and I need to take criticism better. Which I don't disagree with. But god help me... How?!?!?</p> <p>How do you do it?? I do take my work personally and it frustrates the living heck out of me that management isn't aware of case loads(the numbers are printed DAILY!!!) </p>