It is acknowledged that conducting open research requires additional time and effort compared to conducting ‘closed’ research. However, this additional work is often discussed only in abstract terms, a discourse which ignores the practicalities of how researchers are expected to find the time to engage with these practices in the context of their broader role as multifaceted academics. There is a clear danger that additional expectations to engage in open practices add to the workload of often already overburdened academics and research professionals. Using theories of administrative burden and workload creep, I discuss individual and systematic responsibilities to mitigate this.