190+ Polite Ways to Say, “That’s Your Job, Not Mine”

You’re at work, handling several tasks when a colleague casually asks you to take on something that falls under their responsibility. You feel a bit surprised, unsure how to say no without sounding rude. It’s a situation many of us have encountered, and it can be tricky to navigate without damaging your professional relationships.

Here Are 190+ Ways to Say, “That’s Your Job, I’m Not Handling It”

In this article, we’ll show you polite ways to say, “That’s your job, not mine,” while keeping things respectful. You’ll learn how to set clear boundaries without upsetting anyone.

Instead of feeling uncomfortable in these situations, why not say no confidently? Let’s take a look at the best ways to handle these moments and maintain good communication at work.

Polite Ways to Express This Message

1. I believe this falls under your responsibilities.
2. I’m unable to assist with this task.
3. This is something better suited for your expertise.
4. This task is more aligned with your position.
5. I’m afraid I don’t have the capacity to help with that.
6. I recommend you take charge of this task.
7. This doesn’t fall under my responsibilities, but I’m happy to help in other ways.
8. I’m currently handling several tasks, but I’m sure you can manage this.
9. I’m overloaded right now, so I can’t take that on.
10. I’ve got a full plate at the moment, but this should be handled by you.
11. I’m juggling a few other things, so this one’s all yours.
12. This is something that aligns more with your expertise.
13. I’m not the best person for this task, but I’m sure you can handle it.
14. This requires a different skill set than mine, so you’re the right person for it.
15. I believe this task would benefit from your specialized knowledge.
16. I’m not experienced in this area, but I know you’re more equipped to tackle it.
17. I think this is more aligned with your responsibilities than mine.
18. I would suggest you handle this one, as it’s within your job scope.
19. This task seems more suited for your role, but I’m happy to offer guidance.
20. It seems like this is something you should take care of.
21. I don’t have the authority to handle that, but I can connect you with someone who can.
22. This decision needs to be made by someone else, but I can point you in the right direction.
23. I’m not authorized to make that call, but I’m sure you have the right resources.
24. I’m afraid that’s not within my power to resolve, but I know the right person to contact.
25. I can’t take this on, as I don’t have the final say, but I’ll help in any way I can.
26. I can provide some guidance on this, but I think it’s best handled by you.
27. I’m happy to discuss it with you, but it looks like this task is for you to manage.
28. Let me know if you need advice, but this one’s yours to lead.
29. I’m more than happy to help brainstorm, but you’re the one who should take it forward.
30. I’ll gladly offer my support if you need it, but the task itself is yours.
31. I think this would be better addressed by [team/department], as it’s within their scope.

General Phrases to Politely Set Boundaries

1. I appreciate the request, but I’ll have to pass.
2. I’m currently focused on other priorities.
3. I’m not in a position to assist with that.
4. I’m unable to give this the attention it deserves right now.
5. That’s outside my capacity at the moment.
6. I’m already committed to other tasks.
7. I’m going to need to decline for now.
8. I can’t accommodate that request at this time.
9. I don’t have the availability to assist.
10. I’m prioritizing other responsibilities right now.
11. I can’t add that to my plate at the moment.
12. I’m unable to give this my full attention right now.
13. That’s something I won’t be able to do at the moment.
14. I’ve already made other commitments.
15. I need to keep my focus on my current projects.
16. I’m not able to give that the attention it requires right now.
17. I’m going to have to step back from that request.
18. I’m unable to make time for this right now.
19. I’ll have to respectfully decline at this time.
20. I need to maintain my focus on my priorities right now.
21. I’m already tied up with other responsibilities.
22. I’ll need to pass on that for now, thank you.

When You Are Handling High-Priority Tasks

1. I’m currently focused on high-priority tasks and can’t take that on.
2. My schedule is packed with urgent projects right now.
3. I’m managing some critical deadlines, so I can’t help with this.
4. I’m prioritizing other tasks that require immediate attention.
5. Right now, I’m tied up with top-priority assignments.
6. I’m already handling some important work, so I can’t assist with that.
7. I’m at capacity with my current projects, but I’m sure you can handle it.
8. I’m swamped with high-priority work and can’t take that on.
9. I’m focused on critical tasks at the moment and won’t be able to help.
10. My current workload is extremely time-sensitive, so I’m unable to assist.
11. I’m working on urgent matters and won’t be able to contribute here.
12. I’m tied up with deadlines right now, so this one’s on you.
13. I need to stay focused on my most pressing tasks at the moment.
14. I’m committed to some top-priority projects, so I can’t take that on.
15. Right now, I’m in the middle of some urgent work that needs my full attention.
16. This task needs to be handled by you as I’m currently focused elsewhere.
17. My current priorities won’t allow me to assist with this task.
18. I’m working on a few high-priority things right now, so I can’t help with that.
19. I’m juggling critical projects, so I’ll have to pass on this one.
20. My focus is on high-priority assignments at the moment, so I can’t take that on.
21. I’m dealing with urgent tasks right now, but I trust you can manage this.
22. This task is not something I can take on right now due to my priorities.
23. I have tight deadlines that require my full attention right now.
24. I’m already involved in some time-sensitive projects, so I can’t assist.
25. I’m working under tight deadlines and can’t afford to take on this task.
26. I have other pressing tasks that I must focus on first.
27. I can’t take on anything new at the moment with my current workload.
28. My immediate priorities are consuming all my time right now.
29. I’m currently working on time-sensitive tasks, so I’ll have to decline.
30. This requires immediate attention, but I’m already committed to high-priority tasks.
31. I’m tied up with critical deadlines at the moment, so I can’t help.
32. This isn’t something I can take on with my current workload.
33. I’m focused on urgent deliverables and can’t take on additional work.
34. I’m afraid I can’t assist with that due to my pressing responsibilities.
35. I’m handling some high-priority projects and need to stay focused on them.
36. I’m already dealing with time-sensitive tasks, so this one is for you to handle.

When You Don’t Have the Necessary Skills or Knowledge

1. I’m not the best person for this task, but I’m sure you’ll handle it well.
2. This falls outside my area of expertise, so I suggest you take it on.
3. I’m not well-versed in this area, but I know you have the right skills for it.
4. I think this is better suited for someone with more experience in this field.
5. This task requires expertise that I don’t have, but I’m sure you’re the right person.
6. I’m not trained in this, so it’s best if you take the lead.
7. This is a bit outside my skill set, but I trust you can handle it.
8. This is beyond my capabilities, but I’m sure you’ve got it covered.
9. I’m not familiar with the specifics of this task, so I think it’s better for you to take care of it.
10. I don’t have the required experience to do this properly, but I’m sure you do.
11. I’m not sure I can do this justice, but I know you have the expertise needed.
12. I don’t have the technical background for this, so it’s better for you to handle it.
13. This is a specialized task that falls under your expertise.
14. I’m not the right fit for this task due to my lack of knowledge in this area.
15. I’m not comfortable taking on this task because I don’t have the necessary skills.
16. This requires more knowledge than I currently have, so I’ll leave it to you.
17. I don’t have the right experience to do this, but I know you have it covered.
18. This task requires a level of expertise that I don’t have, so I think it’s best for you.
19. I’m not qualified to take this on, but I know you have the skills for it.
20. I don’t have the necessary background to tackle this, so I’ll leave it to you.
21. I think this is something better suited for someone with your qualifications.
22. I’m not equipped to handle this task, but you seem like the right person for it.
23. This is a bit out of my wheelhouse, but I’m confident you can handle it.
24. I’m not experienced enough to take this on, so I’ll let you handle it.
25. I don’t have the right knowledge to complete this task, but I trust you do.
26. This isn’t my area of expertise, but I’m sure you’re more than capable.
27. I’m not the best person for this job, but I believe you’re more suited for it.
28. I don’t have the experience required for this, so I’ll leave it to you.
29. This is a complex task that requires specialized knowledge, which I lack.
30. I think this is better left to someone with more experience in this area.
31. I don’t have the skills needed for this, but I’m sure you’re the perfect person to handle it.
32. I’m afraid I don’t have the expertise to take on this task, but you do.
33. I’m not the right person for this task due to my lack of knowledge in this field.

When It’s Beyond Your Role in the Company

1. This task is outside my role, so it’s best suited for someone else.
2. I believe this is something that falls under a different department.
3. This is beyond the scope of my responsibilities, so I can’t assist with it.
4. I’m afraid this task isn’t part of my job description.
5. I don’t have the authority to handle that, but I can point you in the right direction.
6. That’s not within my role, but I can recommend someone who might be able to help.
7. I’m not responsible for that area, so I suggest you reach out to the right team.
8. This isn’t something that aligns with my duties, but I’m happy to connect you with the right person.
9. I don’t think this falls under my purview, but I’ll help you get in touch with the right person.
10. This is outside my role, but I know someone in the relevant department who can assist.
11. I don’t handle that in my current role, but I can guide you to the person who does.
12. That responsibility falls under someone else’s role, not mine.
13. I’m not involved in that area of work, but I’m happy to redirect you.
14. This is a responsibility I’m not assigned to, but I know who can assist you.
15. I’m afraid that’s not part of my position, but I’ll help you find the right person.
16. I think this is better handled by someone with a different role within the company.
17. This is beyond the scope of my current position, but I can connect you with the appropriate person.
18. I don’t have the capacity for that task in my role, but I’m happy to point you to someone who does.
19. That’s not something I can take on with my current responsibilities.
20. I don’t handle that part of the business, so I suggest contacting the relevant department.
21. That’s outside of my current job responsibilities, but I can provide guidance on where to go next.
22. I’m not authorized to manage that, but I can connect you with someone who can.
23. This falls under a different department’s responsibilities, but I’m sure they can help.
24. I’m afraid that’s outside of my role here, but I can direct you to the right person.
25. This is a responsibility that doesn’t fall under my job description, but I can assist you in finding someone who can help.
26. I don’t have the specific role to handle that, but I know who does.
27. That’s not part of my job duties, but I’m happy to recommend someone who can help.
28. I’m currently not tasked with that responsibility, but I can help you find someone who is.
29. I’m not in charge of that area, but I’m happy to direct you to the right team.
30. This is outside my function in the company, but I’ll help you reach the right person.
31. I’m afraid this is beyond my role here, but I’ll help you contact someone who handles that.
32. I’m not involved in that aspect of the company, but I’m sure the right department can help.
33. This responsibility is outside my current job, but I can provide you with the right contact.
34. I’m not the person to handle this, but I’ll connect you with the one who can.
35. This task is beyond my role, but I’m confident the right person can take care of it.

When You Want to Avoid Conflict

1. I’m confident you’re the best person for this.
2. This seems like something you’re more familiar with than I am.
3. I think your skills are better suited for this task.
4. You’re more experienced in this area, so it’s best in your hands.
5. I believe this is something you’re better equipped to manage.
6. I’m not as familiar with this as you are, so I’ll leave it to you.
7. You have more insight into this matter than I do.
8. I don’t want to overstep, as this is more within your area of expertise.
9. You’ve done a great job with similar tasks, so I think this is best handled by you.
10. I think you’d bring better value to this task than I could.
11. This seems like it falls naturally under your responsibilities.
12. You’ve got a better understanding of this, so I trust you to handle it.
13. I don’t want to interfere with your workflow on this task.
14. I think this aligns more with your role than mine.
15. I’m happy to provide support, but I think this is your call to make.
16. This requires your expertise, so I’ll let you take the lead.
17. I’d prefer to leave this in your capable hands.
18. I trust your judgment on how to move forward with this.
19. You’ve got the right tools to address this situation effectively.
20. This falls under your responsibilities, but let me know if you need input.
21. I’ll step aside on this, as you’re the better fit to handle it.
22. This task is more aligned with your strengths than mine.
23. I’m happy to collaborate if needed, but I think you should take the lead.
24. I’ll defer to you on this matter since it’s more in your wheelhouse.
25. You’re the right person to see this through to completion.
26. I’ll support you if necessary, but this looks like something you should oversee.
27. I trust your skills to handle this better than I could.
28. I’d prefer to focus on my responsibilities while you take care of this.
29. You’re better positioned to manage this than I am.
30. I don’t have as much knowledge in this area, so it’s best left to you.
31. I respect your authority in this matter and trust you to handle it.
32. I’ll stay out of this so you can manage it effectively.
33. You’ve got the expertise to get this done the right way.
34. I’m confident you’ll do a great job with this task.

Final Thought

Polite boundary setting is an essential skill in any workplace. By using the right phrases, you can protect your time and responsibilities while maintaining positive, professional relationships with your colleagues. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself politely—after all, it’s not about refusing help, but about ensuring fair and efficient work distribution.