As we become increasingly digitally connected to our colleagues, the concept of setting boundaries at work has become more crucial than ever before. Platforms such as Slack and Whatsapp might be great within working hours but can cause anxiety and burnout when pinging late into the evening (not to mention glares from your fellow house-dwellers).
Gen Z are leading the charge at setting boundaries at work, with 42% of workers prioritising work-life balance when considering job opportunities (Yahoo Finance, 2023). And Millenials are not far behind.
As a manager, your role is not only to drive productivity and results but also to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of your team members. It’s a lot, right? This delicate balance can be achieved by establishing and respecting healthy boundaries within the workplace. Here’s how to make it happen.
Before we dive into how to set boundaries, let’s go over why it’s important. It’s not about creating barriers, but about creating a structured environment that encourages efficiency, creativity, and work-life balance. Here are just a few of the benefits:
Enhanced productivity: Clear boundaries help employees understand their responsibilities and tasks, reducing confusion and allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities without distractions.
Improved work-life balance: Encouraging reasonable boundaries helps prevent burnout and exhaustion, allowing employees to maintain a healthier balance between their personal and professional lives.
Strengthened team morale: Well-defined boundaries contribute to a positive team atmosphere, where each member feels respected and valued, leading to improved collaboration and camaraderie.
Reduced conflict: Clarity in roles and expectations can minimize misunderstandings and conflicts arising from blurred lines, enhancing overall workplace harmony.
Lead by Example. As a manager, your actions speak volumes. By adhering to your own boundaries you can encourage your team to do the same.
Open Communication: Initiate transparent conversations about expectations, responsibilities, and limitations with your team. Encourage them to voice any concerns or suggestions regarding boundaries.
Set clear guidelines: Establish well-defined expectations for work hours, response times to emails, and availability for meetings. This clarity will help prevent unrealistic demands on your team's time. Suggest part-time employees share their working hours on their Slack or email signature.
Respect personal time: Encourage employees to disconnect from work during non-working hours. However, these hours might differ depending on the person’s working schedule - e.g. they may do the school run and work an hour in the evening instead. A good rule of thumb is to add a line in your email signature explaining what your working day looks like and that you don’t expect an immediate reply.
Encourage breaks: Acknowledge the importance of breaks throughout the workday. Encourage your team to take short breaks to refresh the mind and prevent burnout and perhaps take a meeting outside on a walk (on the phone or in person).
Flexibility when possible: While boundaries are essential, it's also important to acknowledge that certain situations where employees may require flexibility. Be understanding and accommodating when urgent matters arise - we’re all human after all.
This should work both ways, with employees accepting that there may be occasions when they will be expected to work outside of their normal schedule with prior notice. When this happens it’s best to be honest about why the change is needed and reassuring that it will not become a frequent occurrence.
Provide resources: Equip your team with the tools, resources and techniques they need to manage their tasks efficiently. This can prevent overworking due to inadequate support.
Regular check-Ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to discuss workload, challenges, and potential adjustments to boundaries. This demonstrates your commitment to their well-being.
“Be understanding and accommodating when urgent matters arise - we’re all human after all.”
The days of skipping lunch breaks and sending emails at 9pm for manager recognition are fast disappearing. With one eye on protecting mental health and the other on a positive balance between work and home life, the emphasis really is on managers leading by example. So pop your Slack on mute and enjoy your evening - everyone will be better off for it.
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