Safe and Healthy Relationships

Remember that boundaries are personal rules. You have boundaries and the people you work with have their own boundaries.

When you are at work, you are supposed to be doing your job. Getting your work done is your number one reason to be at work.

Here are some common boundaries:

Hugging and other touching

Coworkers don’t usually hug each other because it’s important to be professional when you’re at work. If some people hug at work, it doesn’t mean hugging is okay for everyone. Touch should be limited to handshakes, high fives, or fist bumps. Check with your boss or supervisor to learn more about what is appropriate for your workplace.

 

Borrowing or lending money

Your money is your money and you get to decide how to use it. You should not be giving or taking money from acquaintances, coworkers, strangers, or staff. If someone like this asks you for money, talk to someone you trust about this first.

 

Personal Space

Personal Space is the amount of space you like to have between yourself and another person. Different people have different needs for personal space. People usually like to have more space between co-workers, acquaintances or staff. They don’t stand or sit very close or hug. You can tell someone that you want more personal space. Or you can move or back away from them politely. If someone wants more personal space from you, do not be upset about this. It is just their preference. You can move back a step or two.

 

Talking about Personal Problems

Everyone has personal things that are going on in their life. It can be helpful to talk about your personal life with someone you trust. It can also be exciting to share your personal life with other people when something good is happening. Acquaintances and coworkers don’t usually share details about their personal lives with each other. You might mention just basic information with these people, but you don’t go into detail about private information. For example, you don’t usually talk about problems with your digestive system or sex life with acquaintances or coworkers.

 

Accepting or giving a ride

You should only take a ride from someone you know and are supposed to be with, like a family member, a friend, or staff.  If you plan get a ride to work or home from work from a coworker, or give a ride to a coworker, this is something you should talk about with a trusted team member first.

 

Social Media

You should also have boundaries with people on social media, like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.