Saying “That’s not my job” directly can sound harsh, even when it’s completely reasonable. In professional environments, tone matters as much as words.
Whether you’re protecting your boundaries, clarifying responsibilities, or redirecting tasks respectfully, having polite alternatives helps maintain professionalism and teamwork.
Below are 250 carefully written, polite ways to say “That’s not my job,” followed by one bonus line to make it 251 total.
Check more here 250+ How to Reply to “Make Me”
250+ Polite Ways to Say “That’s Not My Job”
Professional Clarifications
- That falls outside my current responsibilities
- I’m not assigned to that role at the moment
- My focus is on a different area right now
- That task is handled by another department
- It’s not within my scope of work
- I’m not responsible for that function
- That’s not part of my current duties
- My role doesn’t cover that area
- That responsibility belongs elsewhere
- I’m assigned to a different function
Respectful Redirections
11. You may want to check with the appropriate team
12. I recommend reaching out to the right department
13. That’s best handled by someone else
14. Another colleague may assist better
15. You might get better help from another team
16. I can help direct you to the right person
17. That’s outside my role but I can point you further
18. Someone else specializes in that
19. The responsible team can assist you
20. That falls under another role
Calm Boundary Setting
21. I’m currently focused on other priorities
22. I’m unable to take that on right now
23. That’s beyond my current workload
24. I don’t have the authority for that
25. I’m not equipped to handle that task
26. My responsibilities lie elsewhere
27. That’s not within my assigned tasks
28. I’m limited to my defined role
29. That exceeds my responsibilities
30. I’m focused on my core duties
Soft Workplace Responses
31. That’s not something I manage
32. I’m not involved in that area
33. That’s not part of my workflow
34. I don’t oversee that process
35. That’s handled separately
36. I’m not connected to that task
37. That’s outside my operational role
38. I’m not trained for that
39. That task belongs to another function
40. I’m not the best person for that
Helpful but Clear Replies
41. I can help you find the right contact
42. I’m happy to redirect you
43. I can guide you to someone appropriate
44. I don’t manage that but can assist indirectly
45. That’s not my task but I can help you navigate
46. I’ll point you in the right direction
47. I can help clarify who handles that
48. That’s outside my role but I can support finding help
49. I’ll connect you with the right person
50. I’m not assigned there but I can assist with next steps
Formal Corporate Replies
51. That function is managed by another team
52. My designation does not include that responsibility
53. That task is not part of my job description
54. I am not accountable for that process
55. That is outside my operational authority
56. My role does not encompass that duty
57. That responsibility lies with a different unit
58. I am not authorized to perform that task
59. That task is beyond my professional scope
60. My responsibilities are defined differently
Gentle Declines
61. I’m unable to assist with that directly
62. That’s not something I can take on
63. I’m not in a position to handle that
64. I can’t support that task personally
65. That request is outside my role
66. I’m not assigned to that activity
67. I’m unable to fulfill that request
68. That’s not part of my responsibilities
69. I don’t manage that area
70. That’s not within my capacity
Team-Oriented Responses
71. That’s covered by another team member
72. Someone else on the team handles that
73. That task belongs to a different function
74. Another colleague is responsible for that
75. The relevant team can assist you
76. That’s handled elsewhere in the team
77. I’ll help you connect with the right team
78. That’s not my role within the team
79. Another unit oversees that task
80. That’s assigned to a different position
Workload-Based Replies
81. My workload doesn’t include that task
82. I’m currently assigned elsewhere
83. That’s outside my scheduled tasks
84. I’m not allocated time for that
85. That’s not part of my deliverables
86. My priorities are different at the moment
87. I’m currently focused on other objectives
88. That task is not in my queue
89. I don’t have capacity for that role
90. That’s not part of my assigned work
Policy-Based Responses
91. Company policy assigns that elsewhere
92. That responsibility is defined differently
93. Our structure places that under another role
94. That’s not aligned with my job scope
95. My role doesn’t include that per guidelines
96. That’s managed under a different policy
97. That task follows a separate process
98. I’m not listed as responsible for that
99. That’s not under my assigned duties
100. The role structure assigns that elsewhere
Soft Corporate Language
101. That falls outside my professional remit
102. That’s beyond my assigned capacity
103. I’m not the designated contact for that
104. That’s not under my purview
105. I don’t oversee that responsibility
106. That task isn’t routed through me
107. My role doesn’t extend there
108. That’s not within my operational reach
109. That responsibility doesn’t sit with me
110. I’m not aligned with that task
Supportive Deflections
111. I’d love to help but it’s not my role
112. I understand the need but it’s outside my scope
113. I wish I could assist but it’s not assigned to me
114. That’s important but handled by someone else
115. I see the concern but it’s not my responsibility
116. That’s valuable work but outside my role
117. I understand but I’m not responsible for that
118. That’s essential but belongs elsewhere
119. I respect the request but it’s not my duty
120. That task is meaningful but not assigned to me
Office-Appropriate Replies
121. That’s outside my assigned functions
122. I don’t cover that responsibility
123. That task is beyond my current role
124. I’m not designated for that work
125. That’s not part of my professional duties
126. My role doesn’t include that task
127. I’m not responsible for that operation
128. That function is handled externally
129. I’m not involved in that workflow
130. That task is managed independently
Clear but Polite Responses
131. I’m unable to assist with that task
132. That’s not something I handle
133. I don’t manage that responsibility
134. That’s not part of my position
135. I’m not accountable for that area
136. That duty belongs elsewhere
137. I’m not assigned to that role
138. That’s not included in my responsibilities
139. My work scope is different
140. That task doesn’t fall under me
Corporate Courtesy Replies
141. That’s beyond my current assignment
142. I’m not responsible for that task
143. That falls outside my role boundaries
144. My role is focused elsewhere
145. I don’t oversee that area
146. That’s not something I manage
147. My job scope doesn’t include that
148. I’m not positioned to handle that
149. That’s not part of my function
150. That task isn’t assigned to me
Boundary-Friendly Replies
151. I need to stay within my role
152. I’m required to focus on my responsibilities
153. That’s outside my assigned authority
154. I must prioritize my assigned work
155. I’m limited to my job scope
156. That’s not part of my defined role
157. I’m expected to handle different tasks
158. My responsibilities don’t include that
159. That exceeds my role boundaries
160. I’m restricted to my assigned duties
Office Politeness Replies
161. That’s not something I oversee
162. I don’t handle that process
163. That task isn’t part of my role
164. I’m not associated with that duty
165. That’s outside my responsibility range
166. I’m not assigned to that work
167. That task doesn’t come through me
168. I don’t manage that function
169. That’s handled by another role
170. I’m not responsible for that task
Indirect Declines
171. That may be better addressed elsewhere
172. That’s best handled by another team
173. That responsibility lies with a different role
174. That’s not within my assigned scope
175. I don’t have ownership of that task
176. That falls under a different role
177. That responsibility isn’t mine
178. I’m not involved with that task
179. That’s outside my role framework
180. I don’t manage that workload
Respectful Corporate Language
181. That’s not included in my responsibilities
182. I’m not tasked with that function
183. That task is managed separately
184. My job description doesn’t include that
185. I’m not authorized for that task
186. That responsibility is assigned elsewhere
187. I don’t oversee that deliverable
188. That’s not part of my function
189. I’m not responsible for that deliverable
190. That task doesn’t fall to me
Professional Deflection
191. I’m not the right person for that
192. Someone else is better suited
193. That’s outside my professional focus
194. I don’t cover that area
195. That’s not something I can assist with
196. That’s not part of my designated role
197. I’m not positioned to manage that
198. That responsibility lies beyond my role
199. I don’t oversee that operation
200. That task is outside my scope
Workplace Courtesy Lines
201. That’s not within my job role
202. I don’t have responsibility for that
203. That task isn’t within my assignment
204. I’m not accountable for that process
205. That falls under a different department
206. I’m not assigned to manage that
207. That’s not something I handle
208. I don’t manage that responsibility
209. That’s outside my role expectations
210. That task belongs to another function
Neutral Polite Replies
211. That’s not included in my work scope
212. I’m assigned to different responsibilities
213. I don’t handle that duty
214. That task is not under my role
215. I’m not designated for that area
216. That’s not part of my assigned duties
217. I don’t manage that process
218. That’s beyond my assigned role
219. I’m not tasked with that responsibility
220. That function is managed elsewhere
Office-Safe Language
221. That’s not something I oversee
222. My role doesn’t involve that
223. I’m not involved with that task
224. That task isn’t within my role
225. I don’t manage that area
226. That’s outside my professional duties
227. I’m not responsible for that item
228. That’s not part of my job scope
229. I don’t cover that function
230. That responsibility isn’t assigned to me
Polite Corporate Statements
231. That’s not aligned with my role
232. I’m not responsible for that area
233. That task doesn’t fall under my role
234. I’m not designated for that task
235. That’s outside my assigned scope
236. I don’t oversee that responsibility
237. That function is not part of my role
238. I’m not tasked with handling that
239. That task is beyond my role
240. I don’t manage that responsibility
Final Professional Replies
241. That’s not within my role responsibilities
242. I’m not assigned to that function
243. That’s not part of my position
244. I don’t handle that task
245. That responsibility is outside my role
246. I’m not responsible for that assignment
247. That’s beyond my job scope
248. I’m not designated to manage that
249. That task isn’t under my duties
250. I don’t oversee that task
Bonus Point (251)
251. That task doesn’t fall within my professional responsibilities
Why Saying It Politely Matters
Using respectful language preserves relationships, avoids conflict, and reinforces professionalism. Polite phrasing ensures clarity without appearing dismissive.
When to Use These Responses
These phrases are ideal in offices, emails, meetings, corporate chats, and professional environments where tone and diplomacy matter.
How to Choose the Right Line
Select responses based on hierarchy, urgency, and your relationship with the person. Softer phrases work best with peers, while formal ones suit leadership communication.
Protecting Boundaries Professionally
Setting boundaries is healthy. Clear, polite communication prevents burnout and maintains respect in the workplace.
Maintaining Team Harmony
Redirecting tasks respectfully avoids friction and keeps collaboration smooth without stepping on responsibilities.
Improving Workplace Communication
Polite refusals show emotional intelligence and professionalism, which are valued in modern workplaces.
Why This List Works
This list covers every tone—from soft to formal—ensuring you always have the right phrase ready.
Conclusion
Knowing how to politely say “That’s not my job” helps you protect your role while remaining professional and respectful. For more workplace communication tips, explore Professional Workplace Communication Strategies.
FAQs
Is it okay to say that’s not my job at work
Yes, when done politely and professionally, it helps clarify responsibilities.
Can these phrases be used in emails
Absolutely, many are perfect for professional emails and written communication.
Will this make me look unhelpful
No, respectful phrasing shows maturity and clarity, not unwillingness.
Should I always redirect to someone else
If possible, offering guidance adds professionalism.
Are these suitable for corporate environments
Yes, all responses are workplace-appropriate.