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Many people struggle to achieve a work-life balance, as setting boundaries and communicating clearly with one’s boss can be unbelievably difficult. After all, you don’t want to sour your relationship, but you also don’t want to work hours of overtime. With that in mind, here are 20 ways to set the right boundaries early on.
1. Calendar Management
Having a calendar that is both accessible by you and your boss is a great way to communicate your responsibilities, boundaries, and workload. You hence have written proof of agreed-upon vacations and can effectively work around meeting times and so on. This also indicates to your boss when you’re available, and when you’re not.
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2. Block Time Off
Building on this calendar, you can also use it to schedule breaks and even reserve time off for mental health days. The important thing is to block off time proactively and do it months in advance; that way you don’t have to wait until you’re drowning in work to ask.
3. The Employer Handbook
The employer handbook is an essential resource that helps you understand your rights and policies. For instance, if you’re feeling pressured to work after hours, you can refer to your work hours policy to enforce your boundaries to your boss.
4. Delegate
Many people end up drowning in work because they overextend themselves in an attempt to impress the higher-ups. Instead of trying to do it all, don’t be afraid to use your team and delegate tasks when needed.
5. Set Strict Work Hours
Speaking of boundaries, if you have a clear work schedule, it’s important to stick to it. This means not checking your email on off-hours, or working on projects the night before to get “a head start.”
6. Prioritize Family
Whether you have children, a partner, or simply a pet, your family is relevant and important. Communicating these responsibilities to your boss reinforces the fact that you are a person with commitment. Don’t end up being the one person asked to work over the holidays just because “you don’t have kids.”
7. Give and Take
Obviously, it’s important to have a little give in your firmness. You don’t want to be completely cold and robotic toward your boss, so it’s important to be flexible—but only when it matters. For instance, perhaps you put in overtime for a big project, or you go above and beyond for an important client. Just be sure that this is reciprocated and respected to ensure you don’t end up a doormat.
8. Say No
Don’t be afraid to say no when you have to. If you’re already drowning in work and your boss gives you an extra task, respectfully decline it. This is an integral way to maintain a work-life balance and ensures the quality of your output.
9. Leverage Tech
We live in an era flush with powerful and useful technology, and you should take full advantage. Turn your notifications off or to “Do Not Disturb” when you’re working. Use digital calendars and reminders to keep on track of time off and deliverables.
10. Bring Up Burnout
As human beings, we are all susceptible to burnout. It’s normal to end up exhausted when there’s an overwhelming amount of work, and it’s important to bring this up and discuss it. Most bosses are receptive to these concerns, and you can work out strategies to address them.
11. Bring Up Concerns
Speaking of concerns, you should never sit on mixed feelings, especially when they’re impacting your performance. If you feel someone is disrespecting you, or if you feel the expectations are unclear, have an open discussion instead of bottling it up.
12. Use PTO
Speaking of time off, many companies have paid time policies that you should never feel guilty about using. Whether there are fixed days that must be taken off, or an unlimited system, it’s important to take advantage of this as it’s a right millions of workers have.
13. Check In
It’s also important to occasionally check in with your boss to see how things are going. This is a great way to ensure your priorities align or be notified of issues before they escalate. Open communication makes work easier for everyone involved.
14. Communicate Your Workload
Speaking of communication, don’t be afraid to discuss your workload, especially if it’s changing. The fact of the matter is, if you struggle with the number of projects due, other employees feel the same but are afraid to say so. Additionally, this helps your boss understand capacity and burnout rates as well.
15. Take Vacations Seriously
When you are on vacation, it’s important to turn off all work notifications and just enjoy your vacation. This is your time to unplug, so take it seriously!
16. Don’t Apologize for Boundaries
If your boundaries align with employee policies, you should never have to apologize. For instance, if your work hours are defined as 9 to 5, don’t say sorry for not clocking in early or not staying late. Saying sorry makes it seem like you’re doing something wrong, when in reality you’re sticking to the boundaries set in their policies.
17. Build a Support System
It’s important to make connections at work as well, as this creates a reliable support system that will only bolster your performance. Try to have a good relationship with your boss, and connect with co-workers who can mentor you or provide guidance when things get difficult.
18. Set Expectations
It’s important to set expectations when you start working somewhere. This includes indicating how you like to communicate, how quickly you respond, and your limits regarding overtime or workloads.
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19. Communicate Proactively
When it comes to communicating and setting expectations, it’s essential to do all of this as early as possible. Rather than waiting for something to become a problem, flag the issue the moment you notice it. This builds trust and aids in avoiding surprises in the long run.
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20. Involve HR
Finally, if you have a serious situation with your boss or are feeling confused and lost, don’t be afraid to involve HR. HR isn’t necessarily working against you, but is instead loyal to company policy, so just be sure to stay on the right side of those policies.
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