Before you arrange a meeting or sit down with your boss, Devonshire recommends consulting with a trusted friend or colleague to ascertain whether you’re “overworked or overwhelmed”.

“It may be that you have become so stressed about how much work you are expected to do that you have gone into panic mode – this can lead to an inability to work productively,” she explains. “If this is the case, you could discuss with this colleague or friend how to break down your tasks into more manageable chunks and decide on a plan of how to manage your time.”

Devonshire continues: “However, if they agree that your workload is unmanageable, you will feel more confident that your concerns are valid rather than being a question of your ability.”

How to tell your boss your workload is getting too much