How to Say No to Office Housework, by Personality Type

It takes a lot of work to keep the office running, but thankless tasks like ordering catering, straightening everyone’s chairs or cleaning up the break room shouldn’t fall on a single individual. When the “office housework” all falls on you, you may feel worn out and undervalued, especially since these duties don’t come with extra pay or appreciation!

Remember, it’s okay to assert your boundaries, especially if you feel taken advantage of. Women do far more of these office odd-jobs than men, and that might be another reason to step away from the tedious housekeeping tasks. 

Here's how to do it without feeling guilty or risking your professional reputation, based on your Enneagram type.

Enneagram Type 1: Realize it isn’t your responsibility

If you’re a Type One, your hardworking and diligent nature means you like things done just so. Whenever someone leaves the boardroom chairs out or coffee cups all over, you might clean up without realizing because you can’t stop yourself from doing damage control. 

To step back from office chores that don’t add value to your career, you first need to realize they aren’t your responsibility unless it’s a part of your job description. When declining, say something like, “I think everyone is used to me doing these tasks because I often do, but I think we could better delegate this work so I’m not always doing extra.”

Enneagram Type 2: Set better boundaries and seek balance

Because you always want to be helpful, Type Two, you may fall into the trap of taking on too much office housework to please your boss and colleagues. You want others to like you and feel appreciated, but too much of this helpfulness in the office can make you feel taken advantage of. 

You can say ‘no’ by setting boundaries at work. Find a balance—you may still want to help whenever you’re inclined, but you shouldn’t always say ‘yes.’ When someone asks you to do something, such as take meeting notes, take a moment to consider whether this is something you have the bandwidth to do or if it will stress you out. If the answer is the latter, be honest about the balance you require. 

Try: “I have a lot on my plate right now, and the extra work will overwhelm me.”

Enneagram Type 3: Honestly consult your schedule and prioritize

Your workaholic nature might cause you to take on office housework, Type Three, but this all depends on whether you see these tasks as a way to get ahead in relationships. You might volunteer if you think taking on these tasks may impress your boss and help build a rapport. You may also say yes to maintain a packed schedule, which can lead to burnout if you aren’t careful. 

Saying ‘no’ to office housework may make you feel like you’re letting important people down, but remember, success is what’s most important to you. Often, these minor tasks don’t increase your likelihood of getting a promotion or advancing your career. 

Analyze your calendar to determine if saying ‘yes’ will set you back or make you feel stressed. Say, “I don’t have time to do it because it may affect my performance and cause me to miss a deadline. Maybe next time.”

Enneagram Type 4: Avoid tasks that being your mood down

If you’re a Type Four, you may happily pitch in with tasks that allow you to express yourself and engage in creativity. You're first in line if you get to design notices for your office’s recycling program. However, when you’re asked to clean the break room fridge or organize filing cabinets, it may feel like a mood-killer and dampen your motivation. 

Menial tasks can overwhelm you since you feel like they aren’t in alignment with your authentic self. When you’re at work, you want to embrace all that is authentically you and hone your creative skills. Say ‘yes’ when it’s a task that might boost your mood, like decorating the office for a holiday. Otherwise, politely decline these tasks by saying, “I want to conserve my energy to put in my best performance for my projects. It’ll take away valuable time I could put into my project and might distract me for the rest of the day.”

Enneagram Type 5: Be gracious and politely decline

You’d rather keep on track with your tasks and use your energy intellectually, Type Five, which means you don’t volunteer for office housework very often, if at all. However, you might partake in something if you notice a severe lack of efficiency affecting you.

You might have the urge to be blunt when someone asks you to do office housework, but the best approach for you will be to learn how to politely decline. Try to practice empathy to avoid bad feelings between co-workers who regularly volunteer for these tasks. 

Say, “I know I don’t help out a lot with these tasks, but I do appreciate when they get done. But my top priority is doing the best at my job and staying focused on my tasks.”

Enneagram Type 6: Decline and propose more collaboration

As long as you feel safe and supported in your workplace, you’ll volunteer for office housework again and again, Type Six. But while you love being dependable and you work well on a team, you may soon tire of being the go-to person who does extra work for no additional pay.

When approached with office housework, you should communicate and express your concerns. Let people know that you feel like you’re the only person who says ‘yes’ and that it isn’t fair that you’re the only person contributing. Try saying, “I know I volunteer to do these things a lot, but I feel like I’m the only one contributing. I propose we re-evaluate these tasks and make them collaborative.”

Enneagram Type 7: Take the social tasks, not the boring ones

Type Sevens don’t like office housework much and aren’t the type to volunteer unless it's a group effort. Your fun-loving self doesn’t take to chores well, and you struggle with repetitive tasks. But you may occasionally contribute if you think it’s improving your office social life and boosting positivity among colleagues.

You may find saying ‘no’ hard if you have a great relationship with your co-workers. But since you tend to associate office housework with the feeling of being micromanaged (a particular Type Seven pet peeve), saying ‘no’ may be the healthiest choice. Offer to volunteer in some other aspect of the office, such as planning a social gathering, since this is more up your alley and will stimulate you rather than drain you. 

Try: “I think my time would be better spent on my current projects, but I’m willing to contribute in some other way, like planning the next happy hour or team-building exercise.”         

Enneagram Type 8: Be polite and offer help in leadership areas

Type Eights take little pleasure in office chores and usually ignore them. You’d rather focus on controlling your workload and leading others. You also don’t take well to people pressuring you or micromanaging (a.k.a, your worst job nightmare), and office housework thrust upon you can feel controlling.

You might have the urge to decline with attitude, Type Eight, but this isn’t the best move. Instead, you should remind others that you’re already over-stretched with responsibilities (because if you’re an Eight, you probably are). 

Say something like, “I know these things need to be done, but I have too much on my plate as it is. I would love to help in other ways, wherever some leadership is needed if I have time.”

Enneagram Type 9: Accept some office housework, but don't let it take over

Peacemaker Type Nines always have a hard time saying ‘no’ because you crave a harmonious workplace. You are the type most likely to  agree to office housework, even though you may be swamped with other tasks. You’ll also volunteer if it makes another person's day easier.

But you must remember you’re important, too, and saying 'yes' to office housework every time will make you resent everyone else who doesn’t chip in. And don't assume that standing your ground will lead to conflict because it probably won’t come to that. 

If you feel uncomfortable declining outright, take on your fair share of tasks and nothing else. Something like, “In most cases, I’ve been taking on extra work around the office that is unappreciated, and I feel like I need to step back from the role of ‘the yes man’ to feel like an included part of the team. Those extra duties should at least be equal and shared.”