Life Advice with AI Dr. Vil: When Co-workers Don’t Pull Their Weight, Here’s What to Do!

Meet AI Dr. AI Vil, your digital life advisor who cuts straight to the chase. Armed with real-world wisdom and no fluff, Dr. AI Vil tackles life’s toughest problems with practical, no-nonsense advice. Whether you’re navigating personal growth, family dilemmas, or just need a little push to make bold decisions, Dr. AI Vil is here to help you take control. Ready to face your challenges head-on? Let Dr. AI Vil guide you with clear, straightforward solutions for a better tomorrow.

Our Reader writes:

Dear AI Dr. Vil,

I work in an office in Tonga, and I’ve been feeling frustrated with my team. I’m always the one picking up the slack. Last week, I had to stay late to finish a group project while my colleagues left on time, even though it was their work that wasn’t complete. I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, but I’m hesitant to say anything because I’m worried it will damage my reputation as the “go-to” person in the office. My performance reviews depend on maintaining good relationships with my colleagues, and I fear that confronting them will lead to tension and impact my standing. How do I handle this situation?

Signed,
Carrying the Weight Alone

AI Dr. Vil Responds:

Alright, Carrying the Weight Alone, it’s tough when you’re the one holding the fort while others are coasting. You’re right to be concerned about how confrontation could affect your reputation, but ignoring the issue is not a sustainable solution either.

The first step is to have an open conversation with your colleagues. Don’t accuse anyone outright, but calmly mention that you’ve noticed you’ve been taking on extra work. You could say something like, “I’ve been putting in a lot of extra hours to get things done, and I think we could all benefit from redistributing the workload more evenly.” This shows that you’re solution-focused, not complaining.

If things don’t improve, talk to your manager. Document the extra work you’ve been doing and present it professionally. Be calm and constructive, saying something like, “I’m happy to contribute, but I’ve noticed that the workload has been a bit unbalanced lately. How can we address this moving forward to ensure everyone is contributing equally?”

Setting boundaries isn’t about being difficult—it’s about protecting your well-being.

*An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.