Someone who recently read my blog about setting boundaries for people pleasers asked me how to start setting boundaries at work without it being considered “quiet quitting.” All of the tips in that blog could apply to a work environment, but I heard the question she was really asking. She wanted to avoid the label of a “quiet quitter.” A new term for someone who puts in “just enough” effort to meet their job description and does not go “above and beyond.” A lot of quotation mark in that sentence to cover for my eye-rolling.
While quiet quitting is real, about 50% of the U.S. workforce is quietly quitting in their current jobs, that is not the same as setting boundaries. We set boundaries to inform people how to treat us; to show what we’re okay with and what we’re not. They are the limits we set with other people and that they set with us. Sure, some of those boundaries can be labeled “quiet quitting.” However, it’s inaccurate to just label all workplace boundaries in this way.
With a sensitivity to avoiding the “quiet quitting” label, I created this list for you to create more boundaries at work and avoid burnout.
Boundaries In Business Means…
- Declining meetings that don’t apply to you – If there is no value in you attending a meeting or if there is truly nothing you can learn from being there, then hit decline. Don’t spend time, energy, and brain power on something that you can’t add to or learn from.
- Taking time off and really shutting off – When you take time out of the office on PTO, vacation, a mental health day, volunteer time, whatever it is…shut off completely. While I believe that when you’re done for the day, you’re DONE for the day, this is specific to elected time off. You will only recharge and revive yourself if you can unplug.
- Communicating how you like to give and receive feedback – Feedback is important in every relationship and we are all different. We all listen and explain differently. Giving yourself the best opportunity for success means communicating how you not only like to receive feedback, but also how you like to give it.
- Blocking time on your calendar for uninterrupted work time – Sometimes you just need time to work. To focus. A glorious, uninterrupted block of time where you can actually work. Block that time on your calendar and keep it blocked.
Is it really possible to set workplace boundaries?
I believe it is. All of the examples above are easy to implement in your work life. It doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO, just starting as an intern, or somewhere in between. Also, the great thing is that none of them are even close to “quiet quitting.”
Actually, you’ll notice that none of the tips said anything like, “do your job and clock out” or “if it’s not on the job description, don’t do it.” Personally, I don’t have an issue with either of those, because sometimes that’s what we, as humans, need to do. When I’ve heard people say those things and asked some more questions, more times than not, I’ve learned it’s not the employee being “lazy” or “quiet quitting,” it’s the employer and the work environment. However, I digress.
Boundaries in the workplace can make the difference between a healthy work environment and one that ends up in burnout. If we can agree on that, then we can give setting boundaries in the workplace a try.
Now, how will you start setting boundaries at work?
Additional Workplace Success Resources Curated For You
- Boost your confidence and with this FREE eBook, “Self-Confidence Is a Mindset”
- Read this blog, “How to Define Success In Your Own Terms”
- Download this eBook, “5 Tips to Eliminating Uncertainty and Finding Your Why”