Busy and stressed at work, but struggle to speak up/establish boundaries

[stressedatworkkk]

For context, I'm in an entry-level role working as a copywriter. I work in two teams, where there are 3 other copywriters (2 junior, 1 senior) working with me. This week, I am the only junior writer for both accounts, so I'm doing most of the writing

I'm feeling really stressed as we've had a big unexpected project come up on one of my accounts with incredibly tight deadlines, I'm feeling really overwhelmed with it as it's quite a difficult project. It's been incredibly stressful with the client providing last minute requests for things that take time.

On my other account, things are also hectic. One day I'll be told something is not urgent so can be pushed to the next day or even week, then the next it will be suddenly be urgent and need doing ASAP. I spoke to the senior writer and said I was very busy this week due to the other project, but it's not helped matters as there's no one else to take on the work. This evening I 'logged off' (set my Teams status as 'away' so people don't bother me and the senior writer is messaging asking about the other projects, even though I had a call with them to say I'm really busy and haven't had time to work on them.

I have spoken to my manager and said I was stressed, but kind of brushed it off. I've been working late and not having a lunch break. Tomorrow I've got 4 things that all need, probably 8 hours worth of work all needing to be done by 11am.

I don't know what to do. Whether to just push through and accept that next time I need to be ruthless when taking things on (even though I don't get much choice), I'm worried that I'm going to be told I should have mentioned earlier that I was busy, but it's the client who keeps coming back with more and more things they want doing and I can't predict what they're going to want

You need to speak urgently to either the senor writer or your manager (are these the same person?) and rather than say you are stressed, explain that you cannot do all the things that require doing by the deadline given, it is just too much work. Tell them what you think you will be able to complete, and ask what they suggest for the rest.

Find out what the contract with the client allows for changes etc so you know what they can reasonably expect.

If it allows for all the changes, go to your LM and tell them you need help to complete it.

If not, tell your LM the client is taking the mickey.

This sounds pretty awful, agree with pp speak to your manger/senior writer asap and tell them that this can’t all be delivered. Ask them for priorities on what can be done, and give them realistic estimates of when these can be achieved. Get this in writing. If they push back (they probably will) then tell them you need help to deliver this. Good luck!

Agree with pp. Dont tell your manager you are stressed, tell them there is too much work to be delivered in the time available.

Be very clear about what you have to do, exactly what the issue is and what you want your manager to do.

So you can say
I have piece of work A which will take me x time and I've been told is the priority.
But I also have piece of work B which will take me y time and piece of work C which will take z time.

I can only complete one of them prior to the deadline, so please can you let me know which my priority should be and reallocate the other work/let the client know it will be delayed.