To refuse to take on any more work?

[6SpringCats]

The team is 2 people short, management cannot recruit, we are constantly up against deadlines on the projects we have and the bosses what to carry on taking on new projects. I get that cash flow may be an issue down the line if we stop taking on new stuff for a few months but realistically we cannot cope with what we have. I have told them we are under the cosh but I don't get the impression they have taken it in or care tbh. We have had 5 new projects already this month and they are quoting on three more.

WIBU to refuse to sign off on any new projects until we are more under control of what we have?

I seriously cannot take the pressure much more but the only other option (leaving) would only mean that the team have even more work to do plus no one to advocate on their behalf.

Struggling to find a solution....

Are you able to refuse the work? Cant you give later start dates, take on temp staff for job that need no or little training

You know your limits. If you're not able to do more tell them in no uncertain terms and stick to it. Companies now adays care more about meeting impossible deadlines and targets than the people. I learnt this the hard way when I was younger and worked myself so hard to keep up with their unrealistic targets I made myself physically ill for a week from the stress. Your health and work life balance is way more important than any projects

To sum up YANBU.

management cannot recruit

Why not?

Thank you.

Everything that could possibly be is already done by the admin team; the work needs experienced people.

I imagine if i refuse to sign off on a project the management will take it anyway but at least I wont be on the hook for actually making sure it is done, or the other stuff that also won't get done as a result and they certainly can't deny they knew about the issues if/ when subsequently hauled over the coals for missing deadlines etc

They say they have tried to recruit but no people available. Tbf it is an area with virtually full employment at the moment.