Boundary Issues at Work

This is part 3 of a 5-part series on Boundaries by Megan Coggins.
Read Part 1 (Boundary Issues with Family) here.
Read Part 2 (Boundary Issues with Friends) here.

Have you ever accepted a work task that was outside your normal duties? Have you ever worked late to complete a project? Have you noticed yourself staying a little later every day at work? While these are not bad in essence, and can at times be healthy as an employee to complete your work, if these behaviors become a habit, work can become all encompassing of your life.

The work environment can be a competitive world that easily becomes all consuming, taking priority over every other area in a person’s life. According to a recent Gallup Poll, over 50% of adults employed full-time, 40 hours per week, reported working more than 40 hours a week, with a majority reporting working between 50-59 hours a week. Americans who receive a salary are almost twice as likely as hourly paid workers to work over 40 hours a week.

Work environment can also become unhealthy due to coworkers. Negative coworkers, high stress work environments with little support from supervisors, and supervisors who expect you to work beyond your established hours are also examples of lacking boundaries in the work place.

So how can we establish healthy boundaries in the workplace without coming across as unmotivated or undedicated to our work? The first step is to begin taking ownership of how you feel, think, and what you want. Separate your identity from work to really figure out who you are. It is vital that you begin assessing your limits because if you are working beyond your limits, your natural talents are most likely not being used to their fullest potential. You will produce higher quality work, produce an increased quantity of work, and have more energy at the end of the day if you can work within your limits!

Creating boundaries at work can be intimidating, but establishing those boundaries is crucial to your own health. If you are interested in learning more about boundaries contact Life Discovery Counseling at megan@lifedcs.com or call 971-808-2686.