Doing tasks outside your job description?

ABC Lifestyle

Topic: Work

Monday, 3 August 2026, at 4:30 am

Employment contracts often include a clause about doing other tasks as needed.

Doing tasks outside your job can be normal.

But if these tasks are always asked and not part of your daily work, you may want to talk about it.

Especially if these tasks cause you stress and burnout.

Paula Brough, a director at Griffith University, says it's common to be asked to do tasks outside your job.

But she adds that you have the right to say no to extra tasks if they're too much.

Especially if these tasks are asked of you often and become a burden.

So, what is a reasonable request? And how can you say no when it's not?

What does a reasonable request mean?

Sarah McCann-Bartlett of the Australian HR Institute explains that employment contracts often include a clause about doing other tasks.

These tasks are not part of your daily work or specifically named in your job description.

This doesn't mean you have to take on many extra tasks long-term.

A reasonable request should be transparent, collaborative, and fair.

The employer should be clear about what they're asking and why.

For example, they might need help because the team will be short-staffed soon.

There should be a discussion about whether you can take on extra tasks without too much stress.

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If overtime is needed, the employer should discuss how you'll be paid or get time off.

A higher duties allowance should be calculated if the work is at a higher level.

How taking on extra tasks can benefit you

Employees who feel burdened by extra work are more likely to say no.

In a good organization, staff feel that taking on extra work has benefits.

People take on extra duties because they want to be a good team member and think it will help them in the future.

Their employer might give them a good review or support a promotion.

This is called organizational citizenship behavior (OCB).

OCB can improve team performance, productivity, and the work environment.

It can also help with job satisfaction and emotional attachment to the organization.

But there's a 'dark side' to OCB if being a 'good citizen' leads to too much work and stress.

Employees who feel burdened are more likely to question extra tasks.

If you feel overlooked for a promotion or resentful about extra work, you have the right to say no.

Pushing back against unreasonable requests

If you're concerned about extra duties, talk to your manager first.

Remind your supervisor of your job description.

If needed, involve the HR department.

Be clear about why you think the requests are unfair and how they affect your work and life.

It can be hard to have this conversation, so practice beforehand.

Gather evidence of the requests and your ability to say no.

The requests may require compromise from both sides.

You can say, 'I'm interested, but I need to adjust my responsibilities outside work.'

Or, 'My job is changing; can we talk about updating my job description?'

If you don't make progress, you can go to the Fair Work Commission.

Fair Work wants to see a fair and open process.

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