Why Boundaries at Work Are Essential

What is a boundary, you ask? A boundary is a limit defining you in relation to someone or something. Boundaries can be physical, mental, emotional, tangible, or intangible. If you have informed someone that this is your office space, your desk, or your designated chair, you have attempted to set physical boundaries.

Letting co-workers know you are not comfortable shaking their hands or hugging them at a holiday party, especially with Covid at this time, is another example of setting a physical boundary. It is often easier to understand a physical boundary. Emotional or mental boundaries may be subtler. However, they are equally, if not more, important.

Emotional boundaries are related to our feelings and how something or someone’s behavior affects us. For example, if a boss treats you disrespectfully by yelling at you (whether in private or in front of co-workers) or a colleague frequently interrupts you in meetings – you are likely to feel hurt, embarrassed, and perhaps angry. Understandably. By having a courageous conversation with both your boss and co-worker about their behavior, the impact it has on you, and your expectations regarding future behavior – you are setting healthy emotional boundaries for yourself at work.

Sometimes we set a boundary that is a combination of both a physical and emotional one. Such boundaries often involve being asked to do more than we feel capable of – for an extended period of time. One example of this is being repeatedly asked to work late during the week/weekends or while on vacation. Another example is being required to see too many clients or patients to the point we feel tired at the end of the day and exhausted by Friday. Often, the above workplace demands lead to increased stress and a high potential for burnout over time.

Mental boundaries are related to our beliefs, values, cultural norms, ethics, and standards. For example, you value a workplace culture that treats employees and clients with respect and dignity and acts ethically. After six months in your new position, you realize that company leaders are repeatedly behaving in ways not consistent with this. Your values and ethical standards are not aligned with your company’s, which likely will lead to internal conflict. Over time, this internal conflict may lead to significant stress and physical symptoms within.

Setting a boundary in the above example may be quite helpful. Depending on the degree of disconnect between your values and the company’s, it could be better to look for an organization with a culture more aligned with your values and ethical standards.

Why are boundaries important? Boundaries serve many functions. They help protect us, clarify our responsibility, preserve our physical and emotional energy, and live our values and standards. By contrast, not having healthy workplace boundaries are linked to burnout, lost productivity, poor performance, and voluntary attrition.

Learning the skill of boundary-setting helps empower us to prioritize our values and well-being and better manage our stress. Identifying, setting, and maintaining boundaries are skills – valuable skills that, unfortunately, we are often not taught in school or the workplace. It is the number one skill I teach all my therapy and coaching clients.