Do You Have a Job or Does Your Job Have You?

Before I start talking about the much needed boundaries around your job, I encourage you to read the first part of this series about setting boundaries with yourself. It sets the tone for the entire series, and if you can’t set a boundary with yourself and stick to it, you’ll find it quite difficult to place them in other areas of your life. *insert Druski meme* “But hey, that’s just me.”

Now, let’s talk about the place that helps you keep the lights on at home—your job. For a place that we spend so much of our life in, you’d think that it would be a place you enjoy showing up to each day. But alas, jobs have drained the life out of many people. You find it increasingly more challenging with each passing day to show up and give your best because, in many cases, they are taking more out of you than they’re giving (you know, kind of like that toxic ex you haven’t let go of). Understand this—your job may pay you, but they don’t own you. And we are going to discuss how to make sure they know that, too.

Don’t get me wrong—I am not saying you shouldn’t be grinding at your job, nor am I telling you to slack off. Lock in and get your work done as it will help you become eligible for that bonus, salary increase and/or promotion. I am going to specifically cover areas where employers have exploited their employees, which has caused a lot of burnout, unhappiness, stress and many other negative outcomes. You have to know where to draw the line between you being a hard worker and your job just finessing you. So, let’s get into it!

It’s Your Time

Just to be clear, even though it’s a “9-5 job” doesn’t mean you will always work within those parameters. I mean, if you’re being honest, you probably have many times you’re not even working when you’re on the clock (yes, I’m talking to everyone taking those hour-long lunch breaks). But all things considered, if you’re doing your job, there needs to be a point when the work stops and your life resumes. Time is arguably your most valuable commodity; so, use it as you see fit—don’t let your job dictate it for you. Sure, you may pull some late nights to help finish a deliverable with a tight deadline, but don’t let it become a habit. In addition, if anything comes up last minute that isn’t an immediate need, it can also wait until you have the bandwidth.

It’s Your Workload

You should understand your job description before you even sign the offer letter. Your primary focus from day 1 should be your assignments. Some organizations—not all—do a really good job of keeping people busy doing things they never signed up for in the name of “being a team player” and people get caught up in it. It’s okay to assist your colleagues, but not at the expense of your own workload. If you are getting overwhelmed, you need to draw the line. Be upfront with your manager that those tasks are taking away from your priorities; so, they will need to be cut back so you can deliver what is needed. Granted, certain actions can help set you up for things like a promotion or a bonus, but that needs to be communicated by your leaders.

It’s Your Vacation

Cambridge Dictionary defines vacation as, “a time when someone does not go to work or school but is free to do what they want.” A definition so simple and yet there are companies that treat it like it’s optional. A boss may tell you they never take time off. An HR department may tell you it’s an “unspoken rule” to only take a day or two off every quarter. It’s called Paid Time OFF (PTO) for a reason! Vacation time is part of a company’s benefits. Make sure your work is at a good stopping point and then go enjoy some time to yourself. Never let a company bully you into working day in and out without taking a break to relax and reset. You will only burn yourself out (and they will replace you in a heartbeat if need be).

It’s Your Career

You determine your career goals. Unfortunately, organizations can at times pigeonhole their people into only doing work that benefits them, but not the employee. Sure, you may be doing a great job, but you’re going nowhere fast. If tasks don’t align with how you want to grow in your career, say something. If the work isn’t pushing you forward, ask your manager about other projects that could help you. If you want to climb your company’s ranks, make sure they are positioning you to do so with the responsibilities you are given. You have to make strategic decisions that will help propel you in your career path. Otherwise, you will get comfortable and end up fulfilling a company’s needs that are not fulfilling you.

It’s Your Comfort

There’s a reason they have safety measures on how a workplace should be set up. There’s a reason they have anti-harassment training. Whether it’s a colleague who makes some borderline racist jokes, a company that isn’t taking care of its office, or a teammate who gets a little too close when they talk, you need to call out the things that make you uncomfortable. A work environment needs to be a safe place to work. And to my remote folks, it’s the same for you. Is someone subbing you in team meetings? Did your manager send you a follow request on social media? You need to set boundaries in these areas as well. But to address it, you have to take action. Otherwise, you’ll have to repeat the same cycle tomorrow (and the next day).

It’s Your Salary

Listen, these tariffs are hitting everybody! So, now more than ever, you need to know your worth. Don’t allow yourself to settle for a salary when it doesn’t even make sense. Now, there are some caveats. If you took a position that’s a pay cut because it was a better opportunity, that’s on you. If you decided to work for a smaller company who can’t offer as high a salary, that’s also on you. I am specifically talking about cases where you’ve been passed up for a bonus despite performing very well; where you’ve been working overtime for weeks and your paycheck hasn’t changed; and so on. Don’t get cheated out of what you are owed because businesses love cheap labor. You have to look out for yourself when no one else will.

The last thing I want to note is that you should bring all things to God. He could have you planted in a place that is undesirable for a purpose. Despite everything I’ve said, sometimes people jump ship at the first sign of trouble when God wants them to stay. The only way to get real clarity and understand what he desires for you is to pray and submit it to Him.

A job may be your livelihood but it’s not your life—it is a means to an end. It should be fueling the things you hope to accomplish like building a business, starting a nonprofit, supporting your family, and whatever God else has laid on your heart. Don’t let your job take advantage of you. Trust me, a company would never stop you from putting in extra work for them—I mean, who doesn’t like free stuff? Take the time to reflect and determine if your job is serving you in a way that is actually helping you grow. If it is, but it’s tough, stick it out—your future self will thank you. If it’s not and you don’t have peace being there, then the Lord may have already given you the sign to take your leave family.