By Sunny Simon
Over coffee the other morning my friend David lamented that he hated his smart phone. Not sure where he was going with this, I asked him why the mobile technology troubled him. It appeared that ever since he purchased the android device his boss developed increased expectations of a never ending work day. Apparently his manager emailed him one evening at 8:30pm expecting a reply prior to the following work day. By that time David had shut off his phone and was enjoying some quality family time. The next morning he experienced an unpleasant encounter with his boss over his apparent lack of availability.
Certainly David’s phone was not to blame. His inability to draw boundaries and set realistic expectations with his superior at work was the crux of the issue. As we discussed the problem, it became very clear to my friend that he needed to take action and establish a time when he could successfully “unplug” from technology without the fear of facing an irate boss.
Many of us struggle with work-life balance issues. Gone unchecked, coping with continuous communication can become a juggling act that eventually leads to burn-out. Where does being the good corporate citizen end and enjoying time free from work pressures begin? The answer is you can leave work at the office only when you have established specific boundaries. Both employers and employees need to be jointly respectful of agreements regarding when it is appropriate to communicate after formal working hours.
Prior to having the boundary discussion with your boss or your team members, first review your work habits. If you work efficiently while at the office, meet deadlines and avoid long lunch hours, you have every right to leave the office behind when you head out for the night. Should your work day be less than productive due to excessive socializing with coworkers and your habit of strolling in late because you hit the snooze button one too many times, I would advise that you get serious about productivity. Analyze your work habits and implement improvement strategies.
Should wait for your boss to set the ground rules about work life boundaries? No, it is your job to take the initiative and converse with those who intrude on your personal time. Once you’ve reached an amicable agreement, unplug at the designated hour and enjoy your leisure. Most importantly, stay present in the moment. If you’re at your son’s little league game, give it your full attention. If not, you just may miss the little sluggers three bagger.
