Guilt-tripped at work? Pause before saying 'yes'

ESTHER* (not her real name) has been with the same company for many years, where she is highly regarded by both her bosses and peers as a highly competent worker.

Not long ago, she wanted to take a step back at work to focus on her family commitments - an arrangement that was agreed upon by her superiors.

But this merry agreement, which sounded great in theory, did not quite work out the way she had planned, she told The Business Times Weekend.

Like many other companies roiled by disruptions, her workplace soon felt the brunt of dwindling resources. Her bosses turned to her to take on additional responsibilities, which she agreed for several reasons.

First, she felt she owed a "debt of gratitude" to her employer for the goodwill and flexibility she had been given. Second, she was hes…