On average, a full-time working employee, today, spends at
least 50 hours a week at work. Given that work has become such a huge part of
people’s lives, relationships are bound to be formed and hence a major amount
of priority should be given to creating and maintaining boundaries at work,
because this eventually leads to people being more confident and productive and
feeling less stressed. At the same time, some people might feel that, creating
boundaries can be risky because they perceive that they might get fired or
might get demoted if they speak up, but that is not the case. With clear
communication and practice, it can be done.
It is important to understand that, when you respect your
own boundaries, others will too, because it is you who teaches other people how
to treat you.
It is also suggested that, its easier to create boundaries
when you first start a job, but that being said, it’s better late than never.
Here are some ways you can set and maintain boundaries for
yourself at the workplace.
- Know and understand your own principles & values.
For instance, this can mean, knowing yourself and allowing
the people who work with you to know that you will not be a part of any
unethical practices or will not violate any of the company’s policies, even if
it is to genuinely help a friend at work.
- Assertive Communication.
It is important to clearly define the number of hours you
will be working or the timings that you are physically away from work but are
available to communicate via phone or email. It is important to be careful
about who you share your personal contact details with and who you even add on
your social media accounts, today. It is also important for you to understand
your job role clearly and to be assertive about what you will and will not do
so that you are not taken for granted and are not dumped with a bunch of work
that is not your duty. Understand the major difference between being
approachable and being assertive.
- Be
mindful of who you spend time with and what you share with them.
Firstly, try and stay away from any sort of gossip. Even if
you are not the one gossiping but are the one listening to it, you are equally
guilty. Respectfully step away from the gossip mongers and mind your own
business. Secondly, we do not realize the fact that people’s attitude rubs off
on us, so, be aware of surrounding yourself with motivated colleagues, who
respect what they do. Lastly and most importantly be extremely careful of who
you share what with. Unless there is someone you know you can really trust at
the workplace (after a few months or years of being at the job), do not share
extremely personal details about your life. This can always backfire in the
form of rumors or can come in the way of your work when it necessarily does not
need to.
- Do
not indulge in romantic or sexual relationships in the workplace.
As mentioned, we spend most of our time with the people we
work with, hence romantic or sexual flames are bound to be formed. Unless you
are serious about it, do not indulge in a romantic or sexual relationship,
since it can always turn out to be messy if things go haywire, creating stress
and distractions. If by any chance, you are being sexually harassed at the
workplace, do not be afraid to report the issue as soon as possible.
- Report
any sort of Harassment as soon as you can.
If by any chance, you are being harassed in any way,
including even sexually, at the workplace or anywhere you are on duty or even
at an office party, do not be afraid to report the issue as soon as possible.
Filing a complaint might seem negatively overwhelming but there are designated
people or departments at the workplace to look into issues such as these.
- Maintain
the right Body Language
Up to 93% of our communication is nonverbal. This means that
our body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal behavior are even
more important than our verbal content. Be very mindful of what you want to
communicate with another colleague. Sometimes our intention might be one thing
but the other person might take it in another way.