Last updated on Sep 17, 2024

Your supervisor demands 24/7 availability. How do you establish boundaries without jeopardizing your job?

Navigating the choppy waters of modern work environments can be daunting, especially when your supervisor expects you to be on call around the clock. The line between personal time and work time often blurs, but establishing boundaries is crucial for your well-being and professional growth. You might worry about coming across as uncommitted or uncooperative, but it's possible to set limits while maintaining a positive relationship with your boss. Through effective interpersonal communication, you can assert your needs respectfully and find a balance that works for both you and your employer.

1 Assess Needs

Before initiating any conversation about boundaries, take a moment to assess your own needs and work requirements. Understand what aspects of 24/7 availability are most taxing for you and why. Is it the late-night emails, the weekend calls, or the constant expectation to respond immediately? By pinpointing the specific issues, you'll be better equipped to propose solutions that address your concerns without completely shutting off communication. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate all after-hours work but to manage it in a way that respects your personal time.

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Julio Cesar Bertin

Specialist in Effective Communication and Relational Intelligence | Trainer, Mentor and Speaker| Transforming interpersonal relationships and driving success of professionals and companies.
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Possivelmente, um supervisor que tenha essa expectativa seja de um perfil focado em resultados, que são pessoas que normalmente tem menor prioridade aos relacionamentos. Uma forma de contornar esse problema é buscar entender quais são os valores que esse supervisor possui e com base em algum deles você mostrar suas necessidades de equilibrar o trabalho e a vida pessoal. Exemplo: se identificar o valor "familia", usar como pilar pra justificar que precisa de tempo de qualidade em casa, o que não ocorre se você tiver sempre disponível para o trabalho.

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Bandan Preet Mahajan

Senior Eduleader | Corporate Trainer | Communication Skills Coach | Youth Skill Mentor | International Keynote Speaker
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Understand what works best for you in terms of work life balance. For this, assess your work load & your personal needs & try to strike a balance. Now identify the reason(s) disrupting the balance frequently. Once aware, raise your concern tactfully with your leader while keeping in mind that a midway will be found that suits both you & your supervisor. Be assertive and flexible in your approach while doing so.

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2 Open Dialogue

When you're ready to discuss your boundaries, approach your supervisor with the intent to have an open and honest dialogue. Choose a time when they are not preoccupied with other tasks and can give you their full attention. Explain your situation calmly and professionally, focusing on how the current demands are affecting your productivity and well-being. Avoid making demands or ultimatums; instead, seek to understand their perspective and work together to find a mutually beneficial arrangement.

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Bandan Preet Mahajan

Senior Eduleader | Corporate Trainer | Communication Skills Coach | Youth Skill Mentor | International Keynote Speaker
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Having identified the primary areas of concern, note them down and raise the same with your supervisor assertively yet tactfully. Find a common ground for discussion, a mutually comfortable time to talk & then work together to find a mutually beneficial arrangement.

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3 Suggest Alternatives

During your conversation, be proactive by suggesting practical alternatives to round-the-clock availability. Perhaps you can set specific times when you're reachable after hours or agree on priority levels for tasks that dictate response times. Offer solutions like a shared on-call schedule with colleagues or the use of an emergency contact system for truly urgent issues. By presenting options, you demonstrate your commitment to the job while also advocating for your need for balance.

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Bandan Preet Mahajan

Senior Eduleader | Corporate Trainer | Communication Skills Coach | Youth Skill Mentor | International Keynote Speaker
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Professionalism is all about solution finding & nothing about problem cribbing. It is always a good idea to keep in mind & share some feasible alternative solutions while raising any concern with your supervisor. As a leader, I appreciate it and more often than not accept it if it is mutually beneficial. Set boundaries in terms of timings, shared on call schedule etc.

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4 Set Expectations

Once you've reached an agreement, it's important to set clear expectations. Clarify what constitutes an emergency that would require your immediate attention and what can wait until regular business hours. Ensure that both you and your supervisor understand and agree to these terms. It's also helpful to revisit these expectations periodically to make adjustments as necessary, maintaining open communication to ensure the arrangement continues to serve everyone's best interests.

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5 Reinforce Boundaries

After setting boundaries, it's up to you to reinforce them consistently. If you respond to non-urgent work communications during your off-time, you inadvertently send the message that your boundaries are flexible. Politely remind colleagues of your availability if they reach out during your downtime, and save non-critical tasks for your designated working hours. Consistency is key to making these boundaries respected and effective.

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6 Self-Care Priority

Lastly, prioritize self-care and make use of your personal time. It's not enough to set boundaries if you don't actively invest in activities that recharge and rejuvenate you outside of work. Whether it's a hobby, exercise, or spending time with loved ones, these activities are essential for maintaining your overall health and work-life balance. By showing that you value your time off, others will learn to respect it too.

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Bandan Preet Mahajan

Senior Eduleader | Corporate Trainer | Communication Skills Coach | Youth Skill Mentor | International Keynote Speaker
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Work is important, deadlines are important but self care is no less important either. Indulge in digital detox, mindfulness activities, travel, & other such activities for the 4Rs - To Recharge, Renew, Recreate & Rejuvenate. When you show respect for your time & health, others are most likely to respect the same.

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Your supervisor demands 24/7 availability. How do you establish boundaries without jeopardizing your job?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess Needs

2 Open Dialogue

3 Suggest Alternatives

4 Set Expectations

5 Reinforce Boundaries

6 Self-Care Priority

Interpersonal Communication

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Your supervisor demands 24/7 availability. How do you establish boundaries without jeopardizing your job?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Assess Needs

2 Open Dialogue

3 Suggest Alternatives

4 Set Expectations

5 Reinforce Boundaries

6 Self-Care Priority

Interpersonal Communication

Rate this article

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