Now that so many people are back in the workplace, some very interesting challenges are popping up. On one hand, most are really enjoying the office camaraderie and renewed ability to engage in person again.
But, on the other hand, there are plenty of people who are struggling with so many distractions as they try to get their work done each day. They actually flourished working from home because they could set their own rules and boundaries to maximize their productivity. Plus they didn’t have to deal with any toxic workplace issues like gossip or harassment.
5 Ways to Set Healthy Boundaries at Work
One of the challenges many of you might be facing now is how to set good boundaries in your office (or other place of employment) without sounding rude or feeling like you’re not being a good team player. So, even if you have a hard time speaking up for yourself, there are definitely ways to establish boundaries at work and not feel like you are alienating others.
Now that so many people are back in the workplace, one of the challenges they are facing is how to set great boundaries at the office without sounding rude or feeling like you’re not being a good team player. Click To TweetI’ve got 5 suggestions for how you can do this:
- 1. Assess Your Work Environment: Think about all the things that bothered you at the office before you began working from home. For example:
Did people often walk into your office or workspace and interrupt you?
Was your supervisor fond of asking you to come in early or stay late?
Were there nearby coworkers who never stopping talking?
Whatever situations were problematic for you before, write them down and assess your ability to make any changes to them as you go forward so you can do some pre-emptive planning to offset these problems.
- 2. Communicate Your Needs: Since no one can read your mind, it‘s necessary for you to let others know what your boundaries are. An easy way to do this is to send an email to everyone (so not one feels targeted). For instance, if you’re tired of constant interruptions, send an email that says something like this:
“Hi Team, In an effort for me to be as productive as possible, I’d like to request that if you need to meet with me, please send a calendar invitation rather than just coming into my office. With so much on my plate right now, it’s important for me to manage my time as well as possible.
Thanks for understanding! ”
As a general rule, people will respect your courage in speaking up.
- 3. Develop a Schedule to Stay Focused: If you tend to get sidetracked and behind on projects, or if you have lots of flexibility in your job, then a daily schedule can be your best friend. An example might be allowing yourself to spend the first 10 minutes of the day getting your tea or coffee while chatting with coworkers, and then commit to staying focused on your tasks. Scheduling appropriate breaks throughout the day (if your office allows) gives you a chance to move around and get reenergized to do your work. Let your co-workers know the only times you are going to socialize is during breaks or after work.
- 4. Manage Your Health: It’s important to continue safeguarding your health now that you’re around a lot of other people again. All of us know how fast the office cold spreads. And of course if you have concerns about being exposed to COVID-19 (whether you’ve been vaccinated or not) and choose to wear a mask at work, it’s okay to ask others to wear a mask when they come into your workspace.
- 5. Contact Your HR Department if Necessary: Despite your best efforts, some co-workers might disregard your boundaries. Others may bother you with unwanted flirtatious comments or say things that make you uncomfortable. You should never feel uneasy at work, so if someone is bothering you or interfering with your ability to do your job, I encourage you to reach out to someone in your HR department to get the support you need.
By taking simple steps like these, you create a better work environment that helps you put your best foot forward, sets a good example for others, and optimizes your productivity and sense of satisfaction for a job well done!
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If you’re struggling with sleep issues and need professional help, Amen Clinics is here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
