Are Poor Boundaries at Work Burning You Out?

In this article, I'll explain what boundaries at work really are, why they're important, and a simple five-step process to help you start setting healthy boundaries at work with confidence.

Work is an easy place for our boundaries to get out of whack.

If you're regularly working late, answering emails outside office hours, taking on responsibilities that aren't really yours, or accepting behaviour that leaves you feeling drained, it may not just be the job that's the issue. A lack of clear workplace boundaries could be contributing to the problem.

Left unchecked, this is how burnout, low job satisfaction and high stress creep in- until you're googling "should I quit my job." Sometimes though, a sensible first step is to adjust the role you're in, or get clear on what you'll accept from your next role. This is where boundaries come in. 

Signs you need better boundaries at work

• Constantly feeling overwhelmed

• You struggle to switch off from work, even in the evenings or on holiday

• You feel guilty saying "no"

• Your work is affecting your sleep, energy or health

• You feel resentful - either of colleagues, the work itself or the company

• You're missing important occasions with family or friends because of poor work-life balance

• You find yourself wondering, "Should I just quit my job?"

What are boundaries at work? 

In essence, our boundaries signal to the world what we will and won't accept. They're the expectations and needs that help us stay healthy and happy at work, maintain a better work-life balance, and protect our wellbeing. They're best when flexible, rather than a single, rigid rule. At their simplest, it comes down to learning when to say yes, and when to say no.

How to set boundaries at work

I think what makes boundaries complicated is that there are actually a number of steps to them.

1. Have the self-awareness to know that a boundary is needed.

   High achievers, low self-esteem or people pleasing tendencies may result in us not being aware of when too much is being asked of us. For instance in the workplace, the idea of going 'above and beyond' is often lauded, but what if doing so is creating a workload so large that it's negatively impacting your health?

2. Figure out what your boundary should be.

   This is where we start to unpick what we are okay with, and this is unique to everyone. Maybe you have no problem going 'above and beyond' when that gives you job satisfaction, or helps your promotion prospects. But if it becomes expected with no reciprocal value for you, maybe that's when it starts to cross a line.

3. Set the boundary.

   This might mean communicating it to other people. Or it might mean taking action, say in my 'above and beyond' example, that could look like handing off additional projects. Sometimes you take no immediate action, but get clear on the boundary for next time, telling yourself, for instance, "I won't take on any new projects for the next three months."

4. Respond to other people's reactions to that boundary.

   This is often the trickiest part. If you haven't been setting boundaries, someone else has often been benefiting from that, so when you do set one, they react, often because they're losing something. That reaction doesn't necessarily mean you've done anything wrong.

5. Revise and tweak.

   Maybe you were too strict, maybe you were too loose, maybe your communication was awkward. Boundaries are not laws or rules, so you can evolve them and tweak them as much and as often as you need.

Boundaries aren't a one-off conversation: they need practice and are a practice.

Don't worry about getting it right the first time, but do make the effort to start putting them in place at work. 

Final Thoughts

Setting boundaries at work isn't about becoming difficult or refusing to help. It's about recognising that your time, energy and wellbeing matter too.

Sometimes stronger boundaries are enough to transform your experience at work. Other times, putting boundaries in place helps you realise that your current role or company is no longer the right fit.

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning whether it's time to change jobs, change careers, or improve the role you're already in, that's exactly the kind of thing I help clients work through. You're always welcome to book a complimentary clarity call to explore how I can help.