How saying yes to overwork can hinder success: 5 lessons professionals need to learn

Modern workplaces run on an unspoken currency: Employees’ willingness to say “yes.” Yes to staying late, yes to filling in for colleagues, yes to tasks far removed from one’s actual role.

For decades, this readiness has been celebrated as ambition, commitment, even loyalty. But a new report exposes the darker side of this culture: workers are paying a heavy price for carrying burdens that extend well beyond their job descriptions.LiveCareer’s Hidden Costs and Rewards of Extra Work Report (December 2024), based on a survey of 1,160 US employees, lays bare a paradox that defines today’s labour force.

On the surface, saying “yes” can open doors, sharpen skills, promotions beckon, and paychecks fatten. But beneath that thin layer of reward lies a corrosive truth: Overwork is pushing nearly all employees toward burnout, leaving them stretched, fatigued, and disillusioned.The findings challenge one of the most enduring myths of modern careers, that extra work is always the highway to success. Instead, the survey paints a portrait of a workforce trapped in a cycle of pressure, compliance, and exhaustion, where the costs often outweigh the gains.

A culture of overextension

The numbers from the report paint a sobering picture. 77% of employees take on responsibilities outside their role at least weekly, with more than a third facing such requests daily. Only 3% say they are never asked to do more. The concept of “extra” work, once seen as occasional, has become structurally embedded in workplace operations.This isn’t about “going the extra mile,” it’s about a workplace survival strategy that relies on stretching human capacity until boundaries blur.

Burnout: The hidden epidemic

The toll is undeniable. A staggering 93% of employees report burnout as a direct consequence of accepting extra work. Nearly 60% say they frequently feel drained because they cannot say no. Burnout has become less of a red flag and more of a badge employees are forced to wear, a silent marker of endurance in an unforgiving environment.The normalization of this fatigue raises a critical question: When exhaustion becomes the default, is the system itself broken?

Why saying “no” rarely happen

Despite the consequences, most employees still comply.

56% admit they feel pressured into saying yes, while 27% cite direct managerial influence. Recognition (24%), the desire to be seen as a team player (23%), and career ambitions (18%) also drive compliance. Only 11% set boundaries and refuse additional work.This imbalance underscores a workplace psychology where declining requests is equated with jeopardizing one’s future. In a precarious labour market, self-preservation often means self-sacrifice.

Where the work comes from

What makes this overextension even more insidious is its source. It isn’t limited to one layer of authority: 23% of requests come from direct managers, 22% from senior leaders, 22% from coworkers, 21% from other team managers, and even 13% from HR. The expectation to do more is everywhere, woven into every layer of hierarchy.The tasks themselves are telling, administrative duties, event planning, overtime, mentoring, or covering for absent colleagues.

These aren’t career-advancing stretch projects; they’re organizational gaps papered over by human labor.

The rewards that keep people hooked

Yet, the story isn’t entirely bleak. One in three employees credits extra work with skill development, financial rewards, or closer colleague relationships. About 31% even report career advancement opportunities. In fact, 90% of respondents feel fairly compensated for their additional contributions, and more than half believe their efforts are critical to business survival.But the benefits are uneven. Older workers (41+) are far more likely to see fairness and advancement opportunities than their younger counterparts, who often perceive the trade-off as thankless.

A question of sustainability

The dual reality is stark: Extra work brings rewards, but also crippling burnout. When nearly every employee admits to being overburdened, the problem ceases to be individual; it is systemic. The culture of relentless “yes” may keep businesses afloat in the short term, but it breeds long-term instability, eroding mental health, engagement, and retention.

Redrawing the boundaries

What LiveCareer’s report uncovers is more than statistics; it is a mirror held up to modern workplaces. Saying “yes” has become a default response, not out of enthusiasm, but compulsion. Companies may celebrate it as commitment, but in truth, it reflects a structure built on overreliance and exhaustion.The task ahead is twofold: Employees must find the courage to draw boundaries, and employers must confront their dependence on burnout economics.

Until then, the corporate culture of “yes” will remain less about opportunity and more about erosion of energy, balance, and dignity at work.

Lessons professionals need to learn

In today’s hyper-competitive workplace, many professionals believe that saying yes to every task is the surest way to climb the ladder. Yet, the reality is often the opposite. Overcommitment drains energy, blurs focus, and creates a cycle where effort outweighs achievement.

True success lies not in endless hustle, but in mastering balance and discernment.Boundaries safeguard growthAgreeing to every request leaves little room for strategic work. Setting boundaries allows professionals to channel time and energy into projects that drive meaningful results.Productivity isn’t about hours loggedStaying late may look impressive, but output matters more than optics. Professionals who focus on efficiency often deliver stronger results than those stuck in the cycle of overwork.Burnout destroys long-term potentialShort-term wins earned through exhaustion come at the cost of health, creativity, and sustainability. Protecting well-being ensures careers last and flourish.Selective commitments build credibilitySaying yes to everything dilutes quality. By prioritizing key responsibilities, professionals establish a reputation for reliability and excellence.Rest is a competitive advantageRecovery sharpens judgment, strengthens resilience, and boosts leadership potential. In a world that glorifies busyness, choosing rest can set professionals apart.