How to set boundaries at work—and why it’s critical

Employee Engagement

Boundaries are hard. Especially at work. Especially in this current moment. Especially for folks in HR.

Thanks to hybrid work and new collaboration tools, many of us can now work anywhere and anytime. But for people who struggle to set boundaries (e.g. most of us), this flexibility can have negative consequences. 

Without a physical office space or a commute to separate work life from personal life, your job can quickly seep into, well, everything. And it can feel almost impossible to say, ‘No,’ or, ‘Not right now,’ or ‘Not like this.’

And setting boundaries is that much trickier for HR professionals. Similar to fields like nursing or education, your work often requires you to put other people’s needs ahead of your own. But as the common saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. When your job revolves around serving others, it’s even more important to take care of yourself first.‍

But that’s so much easier said than done. So, in this article, we’ll answer common questions around how to set boundaries, like:

• What are healthy boundaries and why do they matter?
• Why do we often struggle with setting boundaries?
• How do you get better at setting boundaries?

And we’ll give you concrete tools that will help you approach boundary-setting with confidence and commitment in 2022.

What are healthy workplace boundaries?

Boundaries are those invisible limits you set for yourself that help you prioritize and focus on what’s most important to you. You can’t say ‘yes’ to everything, and boundaries are essential to helping you protect your time, energy, and sanity.

A healthy workplace boundary might be clocking out at 5pm, so you have time to decompress from the day or take care of your family. Or having a meeting-free day every week so you can have dedicated focus time.

Why are boundaries at work so important?

Simply put: you have to put your own oxygen mask on first.

People who struggle to set boundaries are often incredibly empathetic and generous. You care a lot for the people around you and want to do your best to support them. You have good intentions, but if you don’t take care of yourself, the overwork, exhaustion, and feelings of resentment and frustration will build up and into burnout.

Setting healthy boundaries can help you avoid this fate.

“When you decide to stand firm in your boundaries, it sends a message that, ‘my well-being matters and it will no longer be compromised,’” explains Hakemia Jackson, Executive Coach and Cultural Strategist, in a recent webinar.