Almost everyone has sent a work email or WhatsApp message to colleagues during their lunch break or after work. Occasionally this is not a problem, but mixing work and private life should not become routine. Separating these two spheres is often crucial for your productivity and mental health.
You can make a start by critically questioning the idea of the 'work family'. Because: This concept can lead to unrealistic expectations and excessive personal sacrifices and boundary crossings.
In the following sections, you will find out what is problematic about the idea of the work family, why boundaries are so important and how you can implement them effectively.
The trap of the "work family"
The concept of the "work family" has crept into many companies as an idea or wording. This is problematic because it blurs the boundaries between private and professional life on more than just a linguistic level: the concept suggests that people in a company are not just colleagues, but also like a family. This is a skewed comparison, because the family bond involves personal emotions and expectations that can lead to conflicts and excessive demands in a professional context if they are adopted without reflection.
If you see your superiors and colleagues as your work family, this can have the following negative effects:
- Unrealistic expectations: In a so-called work family, expectations of employee loyalty and commitment can go beyond the usual level. But when you constantly put your personal needs behind professional demands, it leads to dissatisfaction and the feeling of being taken advantage of.
- Excessive personal sacrifice: The boundaries between work and personal life can easily become blurred in a work family. As a result, employees often have to work longer hours or be available in their free time, which can contribute to stress and burnout. Without clear boundaries, constant availability is the norm rather than the exception.
- Psychological consequences: Researchers and studies indicate that the merging of professional and family roles in the workplace can cause emotional conflict. Employees feel guilty when they refuse professional demands or experience stress and anxiety because they believe they are not living up to family expectations in the workplace.
Meaning: See your colleagues for what they are: valued colleagues instead of people from your personal life.
The importance of healthy boundaries
Let's take a closer look at the benefits of clear boundaries between work and personal life:
Mental and emotional health: clear boundaries help to avoid stress, overwhelm and emotional exhaustion. If you consciously allow yourself breaks and don't constantly take work into your private life, you protect your mental stability in the long term.
Example: If you consciously stay away from work-related messages after work, you can switch off better and work the next day in a more focused and refreshed state.
Increase productivity: Setting boundaries allows you to focus on your main tasks and minimize distractions. This results in a more efficient way of working and higher overall productivity. According to research from Vanderbilt University, setting clear boundaries leads to better work management, which increases performance and job satisfaction.
Example: You ask that you do not have to attend meetings during your focus times or that important meetings do not fall during these times.
Respect and professionalism: Setting and communicating clear boundaries in your work environment demonstrates both self-respect and respect for your colleagues. This promotes a culture of professionalism and mutual respect, which is essential for a healthy work environment.
Promoting personal development: Setting boundaries is also a sign of self-awareness and personal maturity. People who know and defend their boundaries develop greater self-awareness and self-esteem, which is essential for personal growth.
Key learning: Consciously setting and communicating boundaries protects your health and contributes to a positive climate in the workplace. This not only improves your individual well-being, but also the effectiveness and harmony within the team.
Practical tips for setting boundaries
To effectively set healthy boundaries at work, we have five practical tips for you:
1. clear communication: be clear and concise when communicating your boundaries. Use "I" statements to express your needs and expectations without accusing others. Negative example: "You are constantly disrupting my lunch break with unnecessary requests, that has to stop." Positive example: "I feel stressed when my lunch break is interrupted by work requests. I would like to ask that we respect lunchtime as an undisturbed break together."
2. set priorities: Learn to say no if the demands of your colleagues or superiors do not match your main tasks or your well-being.
3. digital boundaries: Establish what times you are available for work, especially in relation to email and instant messaging.
4. seek support: talk to your line manager or HR department if you need support in setting and maintaining your boundaries
5. optimize the home office through physical separation
We have compiled more tips on professional and respectful communication in the workplace for you in this article: Non-violent communication in the workplace - principles and tips for practice.
Example: "I understand the urgency of this project, but my current workload leaves me no room to take on additional tasks. I need to focus on my main tasks to ensure the quality of my work."
This example shows how you can politely and firmly say no without coming across as work-shy if new demands are incompatible with your main tasks or personal well-being.
Working from home offers flexibility, but can also quickly become unproductive due to family disruptions: In this context, it is also advisable to separate the spheres of family and work.
In order to maintain professional boundaries and increase productivity, switching to a coworking space can be an effective solution.
The coworking solutions from Office Club offer you a professional working environment that is free from the distractions of everyday life at home.
By implementing these tips, you can create a healthier working environment that boosts your wellbeing and productivity.
Conclusion: Setting boundaries - the key to a healthy working life
Consciously setting boundaries in the workplace is not only a self-protection measure, but also a cornerstone for lasting professional satisfaction and productivity: your colleagues are not your family - but they shouldn't be! By clearly defining and properly communicating what you will and will not accept, you ensure your own wellbeing and foster an environment of respect and professionalism.
Do you work from home and want to keep your private and professional lives separate? Then the coworking solutions from Office Club may be just the thing for you: whether flexible workplace or fixed office space - discover the workspace that suits you and your needs.
