Have you ever told your boss “no”?

Question

Levin · Accepted Answer

I've done it, yes.

Pretty savagely, too. You possibly can only do it if you've got righteousness on your side.

I flat out, fairly angrily, told him no, when he was trying to pile extra on responsibility. This was when my pay and grade was shit. And I was already doing more work than most people. He was piling that shit on me due to my competence, and then expecting to pay me paynuts for it. His face was a picture at the end of that.

Outside of that, there's clever ways to express your boundaries. You can express your opinion without flatly refusing. And then it is up to them if they want to go ahead. If they keep trampling on my boundaries, then of course, there comes a point I will just walk.

I don't think being a total pushover is good in any job. You will just get walked all over, not respected, and not thought highly at the end of it, either.

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

I got restrained from punching the last one by our Director Of National Accounts, lmfao. Still didn’t get fired, unbelievably😂They needed me. I lasted another 9 months and kinda “quiet quit” once enough was enough. They were AWFUL, so it was feel-good stuff and I don’t feel one iota of regret or remorse. Right as rain, haha.

That guy actually got fired, which is crazy, because he’s the owner, lmfao. I didn’t even think that could really happen. But the Board Of Directors wanted him out as President and CEO, so he got axed. Or I’m sure he “stepped down”, lmao. I’m sure he’s fine and still rich off of me and everyone else’s underpaid labor, but that still makes me laugh and feel justified.

naartjie · Accepted Answer

Can’t tell you how many times.
They constantly tell me to help my coworkers when I get a break and not just watch them with their pileups but I work hard and keep good speed to not have pileups- most people are just lazy and know they’ll get help if they slack off a bit.
I refuse to help especially since it’s not in my contract. I also don’t care if my coworkers dislike me for it. I’m there to do my job, the one I get paid for.
They constantly try get you to do more work and when we ask for more pay, we literally asked for $1.20 more and they said no😂🤦🏼‍♀️
So I now like to add a “fuck no” here and there when they ask me to do more than what my contract states.

Beckybooboo · Accepted Answer

A few times, especially when I waitressed. Now, I technically don't say "no", I just explain why I can't do something. My boss always asked me to do things I wasn't qualified to do or that was actually illegal lol Now at least he'll ask if I'm able to do certain things.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

Yes, I've had to tell my boss "no" on several occasions. Declining respectfully and clearly helps maintain professional integrity and trust. One memorable instance was when I was asked to take on a project that conflicted with my current workload. I explained the situation, highlighting potential impacts on quality, and suggested alternative solutions. This led to a constructive discussion and a reevaluation of priorities. Reflecting on this, standing firm with justifiable reasons often strengthens professional relationships and fosters an environment of mutual respect.

1

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Yes, quite frequently actually. Most people probably shouldn’t exercise that freedom as often as i have. A hard ‘no’ is insubordination. So it’s best to utilize a fair bit of reasoning and tact, or have rock solid job security. Otherwise you will need to overcome job fear.
I don’t carry job fear. I never really have, and it has cost me jobs. It has never cost me great jobs, but it has cost me good jobs. Not everyone can afford to be so picky. Ell oh ell! I have more security than most. Still, i have learned to practice as much tact as i can muster when telling my foreman that i’m not going to do what he or she wants me to do. I’m not good with tact, but i can always back up my position with references to codes, licensing, safety standards and labor laws. If they do decide to cut me loose, i have the full weight of the union and labor department behind me.

MrOracle · Answer

Many times. I never had any fear of unemployment - in most of my jobs, they needed me and knew it. But I also had good reasons for saying no when I did. Work is work, and I expected to do work at work. When I said "no" it was because the outcome would have been bad.

I did quit 2 jobs because the company wanted me to do stupid things, and in at least one case, the entire business was gone within 4 months of me leaving - this after I'd increased business by 142%, meaning under my management, business increased almost 2 and a half times.

I can always find a way to work and earn money, so I never had any problem speaking my mind with bosses. They all had competitors who would employ me.

OneViewpoint · Answer

Yes. I have no problem speaking truth to power. Sometimes it is welcome. Once in a while you run into insecure political weasels who aren't really interested in doing the right thing as much as climbing the ladder and not rocking the boat. Sometimes you run into desperate leaders who are buried in anxiety and can't handle the truth. Only parted ways once because of my ummm... willingness to tell them what they don't want to hear. But that was long overdue. I hated the people I worked with. I consciously / subconsciously precipitated that event. Mostly I was protected within the organization because I made shit happen and the politicians were well known as useless weasels and bureaucrats.

Caroline91 · Answer

Yes, then I quit. He wanted me to falsify the books. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. I gave my two weeks notice, he told me to place an ad for my replacement. I told him fine, but suggested he not have me train the person bc I wasn't sure I would be able to hide how much I hated him. He fired me on the spot. I laughed in his face. It was an honest exchange.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Yup.  When I was sure they were legally at fault, one time I said no to have my schedule modified for his needs against mine. Another time, I organized a small strike, it was the equivalent of a big big no lol, but proportional to their demands.

DishLady · Answer

Yes. Sometimes you have to put your foot down for your own mental health. Other times you have to be aware that you're the "gatekeeper" for certain tasks and information and so are protecting the company when your boss asks for something that oversteps standard protocols.

Purpleronnie · Answer

I challenge my bosses a fair bit but only really to offer different routes , strategy or options , then proceeds the back and forth. Sometimes they accept and follow my lead and others it’s simply a tell , where no isn’t a choice.

I tend to stay away from using the word anyway , it’s confrontational and sets the wrong tone. Using other language tends to be more effective when no is still the message.

Tarifa · Answer

I used to work for a company where both directors (man and woman) were going through a divorce. That started to affect business as well. I constantly received contradictory instructions or orders. So I had to say 'yes' to both instructions, even if they were contradictory, and then go and talk to one of them to see what action I should take.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to say 'no', unless it's something against your principles and that affects your personal life.

Wiredone · Answer

Yes I have on several occasions. He threatened to fire me if I didn't do what he told me to do. I told him to go ahead and fire me. I also threatened to call Osha and let them know that he wanted me to do something against their regulations. He shut up real quick

EmmaMary · Answer

@abbycado  On many occasions it has been necessary for me to refuse/no... And on several occasions I have been proven right... However, I'm the first to admit and apologise when I have been so wrong in my assumption.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Oh yeah. Sometimes even to protect him from himself.

DangerouslyCute · Answer

sure... everytime they proposed something stupid :D

katiesmuff · Answer

Before I owned the place I can't recall one time I ever said no to the people that I worked for, often spent time working out issues together, but never just an outright no.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Numerous times - but I wrapped in ''diplomatic'' words.

As a consequence we not longer are ''together'' - but I'm sure he misses me for telling clarity instead of noise.

In fact, he still supports my doings on a more private lane.

Xawyx-2 · Answer

Yes I have, several times, he wasn't happy about it :P

Friendlybro79 · Answer

All the time because they abuse the crap out of us if we don't. There are ways to say no professionally without looking bad. Just takes practice

Nikki1989 · Answer

Many times. Luckily, he is very understanding and we are very close, which helps.

WhitneySnow · Answer

Yeah once last year. He was not happy, but he didn’t fire me.

MemeSupreme · Answer

yes i'll try to offer another solution tho if i got one

wynning · Answer

Hey we don't say no... it was "dealt with" diplomatically!

lightbulb27 · Answer

I recall when I should have said no. um... don't recall that at the moment.

Finchie40 · Answer

Yes, Numerous times with reasonable explanations, unless I didn’t give 2 shits about the job lol

anon1903 · Answer

Yup. Sometimes they're checking whether you have a spine or not

Sissywants · Answer

Yes ma'am I have made that mistake few times before I realized my place, but that was a very long time ago and never had done it last ten years even though I have been guided to be honest sissy maid for rented out for you earn money for her maid service provide any help demands like kneeling before male guests and I have to do anything with them pounding in my mouth before I get a new one

Drumlin2001 · Answer

Probably. But usually a bit more diplomatic, suggest other options rather than a straight no

dinojames22 · Answer

All the time. Normally after triple checking policy first and making sure I can throw down to back up my words. Being the current safety guy on my team (and former union rep) gives me alittle experience in this realm.

Kelley1 · Answer

That would be unwise because, even if in that situation, you win, you end up losing because your boss has a long memory.

SuperZonicGUY1992 · Answer

Yes you have to set boundaries other wise people will just take advantage and walk all over you.

Brandi555 · Answer

My boss happens to be my boyfriend so absolutely lol.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

Not directly. I just do what I want and hope they forget about it.

robocop666 · Answer

Some reckon this is why Owen hart did the stunt that killed him. He was saying no too often and scared to say it again.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Yes all of the time she thinks I'm a trouble maker but im just not willing to gamble with my life

DevotedWarrior4Venus · Answer

Yes, I am never so afraid of my boss that I can't say no when it's time to put my foot down.

FreyaRed · Answer

Yes, many times.

NordicInScandinavia · Answer

Just did today.

WilliamPamer446 · Answer

Yes then he told me no

Danny_dan92 · Answer

If you know your shit then yeah it’s possible

Jeff51 · Answer

No. My dm wouldn't like it.

TallAnon · Answer

Plenty, I don't waste my time on dumb shit

lukacy · Answer

never. I don't dare to do so.

Shortkay4568 · Answer

Yesss. He wanted sex

JordansGate · Answer

Sure have

RHK36 · Answer

All the time

Charliefretz329 · Answer

Many many times

CubaPirate · Answer

Many times

SamWinchester058 · Answer

I have.

Have you ever told your boss “no”?

Most Helpful Opinions

AI Opinion

What Girls & Guys Said

Have you ever told your boss “no”?

Most Helpful Opinions

AI Opinion

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.