Clarity and Positivity: Setting Boundaries at Work

Setting boundaries at work can be difficult, but with the right preparation, you can approach the conversation with confidence.

Here are six tips to get you started.

Recognize the boundary needed

You may need to decide what type of boundary would behoove your specific situation. These boundaries might look differently for every person, so take a few minutes to consider exactly what you need from your manager and how best it can be achieved. The below are some examples to get you started:

1. Mental or emotional

• Setting and sticking to work hours

• Decline optional meetings

• Do not engage in office gossip

2. Physical

• Shaking hands over hugging

• Not attending work events past a certain time

• Taking your lunch hour away from your desk

Be clear 

The most efficient way to set your boundary is to be clear and concise with your needs. State your boundary firmly but with enough detail to provide context for the ask. Your message could be as simple as, “My working hours are 9am - 5pm; I look forward to having this conversation during that time frame.” You could provide background information, such as any changes in your schedule necessitating the boundary, or, for mental boundaries, even excuse yourself from the conversation or situation to indicate your disinterest in participation. Further, choose the communication system that best fits your needs: is the an in-person conversation or should you put this in an email?

Approach the conversation with a good attitude and positive intent

If you need to set an in-person boundary with a coworker, bring a positive attitude and try to give them the benefit of the doubt on their behavior. Consider the possibility that they did not know their behavior affected you in this way to calmly state your position. We have all heard the classic “use ‘I’ statements, rather than ‘you’ statements,” but also consider your tone and word choice: how would you interpret the same message?

If you are communicating this boundary or holding a conversation via email, determine who else may (or should) see your message. Setting a boundary in writing has the benefit of revising your statement for maximum understanding and explanation. Depending on the scenario, consider CC-ing your HR representative or your manager. 

Learn to delegate

For those times where you simply cannot say no, but cannot actually assume any more responsibilities, practicing delegation can be a key skill. This is especially useful when obligations fall outside the scope of your responsibilities. When preparing to delegate, consider the best person to whom the task should fall. Then, be clear to whom the task should be directed, while being firm in your decision not to assume the task. To wrap up, offer to stay available to answer questions or provide any background needed to further the initiative. 

Practice saying no

As first generation professionals, our instinct is to have our hands constantly in the air. Extra project? No problem. Report needed ASAP? We’re on it. But the practice of saying no is essential to professional growth. You will eventually be required to turn down projects, extra work, or decline networking opportunities simply due to your schedule. As a best practice, explain why your current bandwidth would not support the task or project, suggest another person who could assist, offer to take on the task when your schedule permits, or simply decline. If you are unsure if declining is an option, ask your manager to provide POV or background on the project against your current workload. If the project comes from your manager, be prepared to state why you cannot take on the additional work, again against your current bandwidth. Asking for prioritization is a strategic way of inquiring.

Use tech

Leveraging technological resources can help you enforce your well-laid-out boundaries. For example, using your phone and computer “do not disturb” mode outside of work hours will prevent any unwanted intrusions into your private time. You should also leverage an out of office message including a list of those to whom your tasks should be delegated in your absence. Also consider using a pre-out of office message or signature block letting your coworkers know when you will not be available, so they can plan accordingly.

Conclusion

Setting boundaries can be intimidating for first generation professionals; we are used to taking on multiple projects and take great pride in seeing each initiative through. However, as you grow in your career, there will be a time during which that will no longer be possible. Whether your role has expanded into leadership or people management or you simply take on larger, more complicated tasks, setting boundaries is necessary to fulfill your higher level duties. By leveraging the tactics in this Article, you will be able to assert your boundaries with confidence and utilize certain strategies to enforce them.

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Citations

1. “8 Ways to Establish Healthy Boundaries at Work.” Career Contessa, 13 Oct. 2023, www.careercontessa.com/advice/healthy-boundaries-at-work/.

2. Perry, Elizabeth. “How to Set Boundaries at Work: A Personal Guide to Drawing the Line.” BetterUp, 22 Aug. 2022, www.betterup.com/blog/how-to-set-boundaries-at-work.

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