Understanding Boundaries in the Workplace

"Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of our identity and your right to choices." Gerard Manley Hopkins

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Do you ever wonder what limits exist in the workplace and what boundaries cannot be crossed? Know your boundaries. If they are not clear, ask your employer or a fellow coworker. You don’t want to overstep and get in trouble.

A friend of mine was on co-op at this company in Philadelphia, and she was frequently partaking in the friendly banter throughout the office. Her coworkers would talk about their weekends with each other and often curse in conversations. When she was asked to add her portion of the conversation, she would often curse and follow the same conversation pattern. When it came to her review, she was denied the full time position because of these conversation patterns she participated in. When she asked why she got in trouble and no one else got penalized, they told her regardless of everyone else’s actions, you must take responsibility for acting this way while on co-op. Just because someone does something, doesn’t mean it is acceptable for you to do it. Understand that boundaries are set in place for a reason.

Friendly banter is one thing, but you don’t ever want to make enemies at work. Even if you disagree with a coworker, there are appropriate ways to talk to people. Be honest but don’t always have an opinion. Instead of being completely blunt, ask yourself if it is up to you to correct them. If they ask you for your opinion, you are allowed to say no. That boundary of leaving things the way they are to not create tension is something that is held to be very true in the workplace.

According to Harvard Business Review, understanding this information is an opportunity to learn and grow. “As uncomfortable as it may feel when someone challenges your ideas, it’s an opportunity to learn. …when you’re not afraid to constructively disagree about issues at work, you’re likely to be happier to go to the office, be satisfied with what you accomplish, and enjoy interactions with your colleagues.”