3.01k
Let's talk about boundaries.
How do you set and enforce them? I have clients that think it is okay to call or text in the evenings and on weekends, and while that is okay occasionally and in special circumstances, one client in particular is becoming a pain. How do you handle encroachment into non-work time?
Jill L. FergusonJill of many trades. Lover of life and animals.
3.01k
07/08/22 at 7:56PM UTC
Thank you for all of these suggestions. I'm glad so many people were willing to provide input and to talk about how they do things.
Paulla FetzekTeacher, Lighting Expert, 35+ Yr Office Pro
3.2k
06/30/22 at 1:28PM UTC
It's difficult for me to set boundaries at work as I'm the only person who can do what I do. Regardless, my company is very respectful of my personal time. If I'm contacted "off hours" or when I'm on vacation, I know it's important and will respond.
However, the same isn't true for my role as president of my condo building. Unfortunately, I was given no proper training so I didn't know what to expect for the role. As it turns out, most presidents in the association share my concern. In our master board meetings we've now requested formal written directions for the residents on the roles of all board members!
Just Me
20
06/30/22 at 12:45PM UTC
turn your phone off unless its an emergency
SLT
642
06/30/22 at 6:16AM UTC
Actions speak. Tell them after x hour each day, leave a VM and you'll promptly answer the next business day
KellyW43
570
06/30/22 at 1:58AM UTC
Do you have 2 seperate lines? If so, then you can turn off one during off hours.
If all you have is one line, then you need to ignore anything that's comes in outside of business hours. If the client doesn't seem to get the boundaries, then you need to remind him or her of the business hours and stick to them.
JJImage | Brand | Communications
2.47k
06/30/22 at 12:14AM UTC
I ignore the request at the inappropriate time and then respond during normal business hours. People are usually fine with it but if I not, I have a difficult conversation about boundaries.
Anonymous
06/29/22 at 7:35PM UTC (Edited)
You have to set that boundary and stick to it.
If you never had the upfront conversation about your hrs of availability, then by you answering your phone or text gave them permission to reach out to you. If you already gave them information about your availability then why are you answering your phone at all outside your work hrs you already communicated to them. That’s a you issue you need to work out and hold yourself accountable to.
A trainable trick is to change your voicemail to state ….sorry I could not answer the phone right now, I am typically available on Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm. If you are contacting me outside that window, I will be sure to follow up with you during those office hrs.
a repeat offender will hear that enough times. And when you stop responding, they will get the picture to only reach you during your actual work hrs
Barb HansenStartup Product, Growth & Strategy
9.73k
06/29/22 at 5:10PM UTC
How do I set boundaries?
I talk about my work boundaries during client onboarding or interview process.
If I have clients that need a consulting/contractor contract, I add my working time and communication processes to my contract with them.
How do I enforce them?
I give people grace. Even if I've had a discussion about the fact that I don't answer text messages in the evening or weekends, and a client texts me, I'll respond with a polite "I'll talk to you tomorrow' or similar. If the issue is an emergency, then I'll move forward.
If the client continues to text me after hours, I no longer respond with "I'll talk to you tomorrow", I just respond to them during work hours.
Texting is an asynchronous form of conversation, and just because you text me doesn't mean that I have to respond right now.
If the client calls after hours, I'd program my cell phone to "sleep" after hours and to only accept calls from certain people.
Kat ReelMerchandising Coordinator
357
06/29/22 at 2:44PM UTC
I do not use my personal phone for work. No calls, texts, or email. I let everyone know my hours and that's when they can contact me. When I'm done with my day and it's time to clock out, I shut down my computer. I use to let people call or text me, huge mistake, which is why I put a stop to it.
