Boundary Setting in the Workplace
Honor Your Professional Boundaries
A general understanding of boundary setting is drawing a line in which a personal function, limit, or edge is set. When we can set a boundary, we encourage, with veracity, a level of understanding that respects our spiritual, relational, and emotional parameters. Boundary setting honors what you, as a professional, feel is secure and acceptable. Boundaries define your autonomy, individualism, and personality, distinguishing you from others.
Bolstering boundaries creates a better objective of what we try to accomplish, reinforcing relationships with others and ourselves. Boundaries exist in every area of life, whether personally or professionally. However, it is possible to disregard boundaries in the workplace when it comes to self-care.
Boundary perspective states that humans paradigm boundaries psychologically and behaviorally when attempting to consolidate personal and professional realms. For example, this may include using distinct email accounts, turning cell phones off after a specific time, or attending to personal matters during breaks.
However, sometimes, it is not feasible to enact preferred boundary settings in the workplace due to time constraints and professional demands. Essentially, preferred professional boundaries may go dismissed, unnoticed, unmanageable, or forgotten. Nevertheless, work-life balance is central for overall well-being, profoundly affecting work satisfaction, and professional boundaries must be established in all aspects of life as these elements are relational to work.
So, how do we establish boundary setting in the workplace that can carry over to all facets of life?
References
- Clark, S. C. (2000). Work/family border theory: A new theory of work/family balance. Human Relations, 53(6), 747–770. doi:10.1177/0018726700536001
- Hartmann, E. (1991). Boundaries in the mind: A new psychology of personality. BasicBooks.
- Hermansson, G. (1997). Boundaries and boundary management in counselling: The never-ending story. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 25(2), 133–146. doi:10.1080/03069889700760131
- Indeed Editorial Team. (2023, September 1). 16 ways to set boundaries at work and why it matters indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/boundaries-at-work
- Katherine, A. (1991). Boundaries: Where you end and I begin. MJF Books.
- Kossek, E. E., Ruderman, M. N., Braddy, P. W., & Hannum, K. M. (2012). Work–nonwork boundary management profiles: A person-centered approach. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 81(1), 112–128. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2012.04.003
- Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2009). Balancing borders and bridges: Negotiating the work-home interface via Boundary Work Tactics. Academy of Management Journal, 52(4), 704–730. doi:10.5465/amj.2009.43669916
- Mellner, C., Aronsson, G., & Kecklund, G. (2015). Boundary Management preferences, boundary control, and work-life balance among full-time employed professionals in knowledge-intensive, flexible work. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 4(4), 7. doi:10.19154/njwls.v4i4.4705
- Nippert-Eng, C.E. (1996), Home and Work: Negotiating the Boundaries through Everyday Life. University Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois. doi: 10.7208/chicago/9780226581477.001.0001
- Webb, S. B. (1997). Training for maintaining appropriate boundaries in counselling. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 25(2), 175–188. doi:10.1080/03069889708253800
Copyright © 2024 PR- Advocacy - All Rights Reserved.
All psychological resources are for self-use and are not intended to replace therapy or provide medical or clinical advice
Psychological resources may be used for personal and professional development and shared with colleagues and clients for guidance and coaching. However, they must be securely shared from the PR- Advocacy website. It's not allowed to share or post these resources for commercial use as original work, post them on social media, or share them with professionals, friends, or colleagues without referencing PR-Advocacy.com and corresponding references.
Deepest Gratitude,
Dr. Klara Alexandra Esposito
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.