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Anonymous

01/20/22 at 2:24PM UTC

This is something that always bothered me.

I think this article describes it well. I work for a company that is about results and not facetime and they have very flexible policies, including unlimited PTO. But this means creating boundaries is up to me and I find that hard. I've gotten better at it by committing to blacking out digitally on certain days like weekends and holidays. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do to set better boundaries when you can work however / whenever you want?

sloanreview.mit.edu

How Hyperflexibility Can Benefit - or Burn Out - Your Team

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Anonymous

01/21/22 at 5:11PM UTC

Often there are deadlines for research, which is my field, pre-established at the time of the project; these include massive data analysis, interpretation, and presentations, which can take far more time than originally allowed. I don't like to state that I can't come through with a report that's due, while I take PTO for burnout and overwork; how will the next team take the results and move ahead if I don't keep going without respite? Sometimes there is nothing to be done except work extra hard and long, particular if there is a dilemma with the data. I am a consultant so often PTO policies do not apply to my work.

Anonymous

01/21/22 at 3:39PM UTC

You know what you need to do, but what is really stopping you? Don't overthink it. Just know your boundaries and let them be known. No apologies necessary. For some reason, I had no problem doing this when I started with a fully remote edtech role about 6 months ago. Yet so many others mention they have difficulty doing this.

Anonymous

01/21/22 at 2:51PM UTC

Consider taking it a step further and blocking out hours during the work day during which you will be unavailable (such as, before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m., and even time for lunch!) so that if folks go to schedule meetings they'll see that you're unavailable. Also, consider putting in your email signature line and/or voicemail "My office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. eastern" or something along those lines. You can also put a daily Out of Office message up when you "leave" for the day, with a friendly message stating your office hours and advising that you'll respond within 24 (or 48, etc.) hours. This may help not only set your own boundaries, but help to set expectations of others. Good luck!

Robyn Wick

732

HiEd Professional/PT Fitness Inst

01/21/22 at 4:19PM UTC

I love this approach. It also sends a great message to any reports you may have that it is ok to have boundaries. I've found that just telling my team to not work in the evening or weekends doesn't work when I do it and they see that I'm doing it. You'll set boundaries and you'll set a good example that will help others with boundaries.

Anonymous

01/20/22 at 6:50PM UTC

I love being in control and gravitate to these types of opportunities. I block out my calendar every day to accommodate my life. I work 8 hours but on my schedule and my terms. I am a great communicator and send concise emails and only call or attend meetings with a clear agenda and goal(s). I find people respect my boundaries if I respect myself .

Anonymous

01/20/22 at 3:17PM UTC

Like you mentioned having flexibility is a benefit and a curse. Not knowing specifically what you do, setting specific working hours (if you don't already have them) is important. This establishes an expectation of when you will respond to emails or answer phone calls especially if you work from home. If you are results based and not hours based, meaning they don't care if you work 30 or 40 hours as long as you get it done this also allows for those weeks that the projects that take less time to still know you will respond to any email between say 9-5. Don't have your email on your phone, its not necessary and makes it more of a task to check your email at home. Remember, you don't owe anyone an explanation to why you are setting boundaries especially if you are producing quality results and doing what is expected of you.

Anonymous

01/20/22 at 4:37PM UTC

I forgot to add....if you already have established work hours so if they expect you to be available from 9-5 then those are the hours you check your email and answer phone calls for work. If it is a work emergency they will leave a voicemail and you can check it and figure out how to proceed. If it is something that you know can wait till tomorrow, I would let them know that. If it isn't let them know when you might be able to work on it that night (for instance after dinner or workout or personal time) and do it. Personally, I wouldn't make that a habit if you can help it but sometimes things come up.