“The overwhelming majority of workers experience burnout due to additional responsibilities, highlighting the mental and emotional toll of consistently taking on more than they can handle,” the report said. “Most employees are frequently asked to perform tasks beyond their job descriptions, with over a third facing these requests daily. Extra work has become a regular expectation, leaving little room for employees to focus solely on their defined roles.”

Employees face significant drawbacks from extra work, particularly in their supervisor relationships and productivity levels. Forty percent experience strained relationships with supervisors, 37% report reduced productivity, 34% feel lower job satisfaction and 32% are concerned about setting unrealistic expectations for future performance. So why do they agree to do extra work?

“Most employees feel compelled to accept extra tasks, often reluctantly, while only a small percentage set boundaries or decline requests,” the LiveCareer report said. “This reflects a workplace trend where saying ‘no’ is rare, even when workloads become overwhelming.”

Employees take on additional responsibilities for various reasons, often driven by external pressures or personal ambitions:

• Twenty-seven percent cite pressure from managers or leadership.
• Twenty-four percent want to seek recognition or stand out.
• Twenty-three percent aim to be team players.
• Eighteen percent are motivated by career advancement opportunities.
• Eight percent admit they don’t know how to decline extra work.

“Employers should create a supportive culture that empowers all workers, particularly mid-career professionals and women, to set boundaries without fear of negative consequences,” according to Resume Now.

Nevertheless, although taking on extra work presents challenges, many employees recognize significant benefits that can contribute to their personal and professional growth. These outcomes highlight how additional responsibilities, when managed effectively, can create valuable opportunities:

• One-third report skill development as a key benefit.
• Thirty-two percent experience financial rewards, such as bonuses or raises.
• Thirty-one percent form closer relationships with colleagues.
• The same percentage see opportunities for career advancement.

Related: New survey reveals employee attitudes on pay transparency and equity

A study by the career website Zety offers additional insights into how to empower employees to maximize their productivity. “In a world where productivity drives success, understanding when and how workers perform at their best is crucial,” the report said. The study found that:

• More than half of workers report achieving peak performance between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., while only 15% feel most productive after 2 p.m.
• Forty-three percent of employees find remote work more conducive to productivity than hybrid (30%) or on-site (22%) arrangements.
• Four in 10 workers rely on digital tools for task management, while 9% still depend on memory alone.
• Distracting environments (57%) and micromanagement (56%) are the top workplace productivity killers.
• External factors, such as mental health issues (54%) and caregiving responsibilities (51%), play a significant role in hindering productivity.