Are you consistently working way more hours than you’re actually paid for? Do you find yourself missing personal plans for work? If you’re struggling to master your work-life balance, it may be time to re-evaluate your boundaries at work. 

No one else will prioritize your boundaries, especially if you don’t, so it’s essential to communicate those boundaries and enforce them. Keep reading for my top advice for setting strong work-life boundaries.

The Importance of Boundaries for A Better Work-Life Balance

More flexibility and a healthy work-life balance are top priorities for most workers. In fact, more than 80% of millennials seriously consider how a position will affect their work-life balance before they agree to it.

While we know that a healthy work-life blend is important, you may be wondering how to make it a reality. The best way to maintain balance is to set firm boundaries and be persistent in enforcing them. Your boundaries will be personal to you, but they may include working exactly 40 hours per week, not working weekends, taking your PTO, and not checking your email or work phone outside of office hours. 

Work Mom’s Top Tips for Setting Work Boundaries

From setting your boundaries from the beginning to recognizing when it’s time to quit, here’s some advice on how to set and enforce stronger boundaries at work. 

Set Your Boundaries Immediately

As soon as you start a new job, set your boundaries in a clear and effective manner. If you clearly communicate your start and end times, your bandwidth for projects, and other boundaries, it will be easier to enforce and prioritize them.

If you don’t set them early, it’s much easier for a new employer to demand longer hours, working on weekends, and expect responses when you’re off the clock. It also makes it harder to set boundaries later on because your team and boss will get used to taking more time and energy from you than is acceptable. 

Sometimes Compromise is Necessary

There will be times when you need to compromise on your boundaries. Your boss may need a project or report done by a certain time, but you don’t have time to finish without working more hours than usual. In those instances, you may need to stay an hour late or arrive at work early the next day to get it done. 

There are ways to be persistent while still negotiating what your employer needs from you. As long as this is not happening constantly and your boundaries aren’t always being disrespected, it’s okay to compromise when you absolutely have to do so.

Know when it’s time to go

While you sometimes will need to compromise your work boundaries, you should never accept constant boundary violations. Do you find yourself working 60+ hours a week? Does your team constantly bombard you with messages after your clearly defined work hours? Does your boss guilt-trip you for taking PTO or sick days? it’s probably time to look for a new job.

When your employer or coworkers constantly disrespect your boundaries, they aren’t respecting your time or well-being. I encourage you to find a job where you’re treated with both respect and compassion for your personal needs. Both are essential to a healthy work environment. 

For more ways to prioritize your work-life blend, check out the latest episode of Work Mom Says.