How do I tell my manager I cannot absorb extra work?

[Ferne7]

Another manager has told me they need my help with project work for 2 months because management didn’t allocate budget for temps. My own manager hasn’t discussed any of this with me, it’s frustrating to be told additional work is being added on top of my existing responsibilities due to poor planning and budgeting. They always have temps to do this annual project work.

I also still have annual leave to use, so I’m concerned about workload and capacity.

What do I say to my manager? I have had enough and don’t want to burn myself out. They have already been adding more to my workload recently.

What are your fears? Or possible ramifications of telling the boss this?

You talk about it with your manager, and show them why it’s unreasonable in terms of what you’re doing at the moment, and the extra they’re expecting.

"I don't have the capacity to absorb additional work. If this to take priority please let me know which parts of my current workload can be reassigned. Also note I have annual leave to schedule so this will need factoring in when looking at workloads and deadlines."

Do you get on with your manager? I've had excellent managers in the past who have recognised I only had so many hours in the day but I've also had shit ones who expect everything to be done as it's about time management.

Either way approach your manager and ask them what is urgent and you have leave to take. Tell them the risks involved.

Then start looking for something else if they are not receptive.