Types of boundaries

Job Responsibility Boundaries

These are generally established by the organisation and help define your responsibility and reporting requirements. These are also in line with national standards to ensure we are following established guidelines across the industry.

They help you to answer the following questions:

  • Who do you report to?
  • Who gives you feedback?
  • Who sets your work priorities?
  • How is your organisation and customer information kept secure?
  • How do you treat all staff and customers fairly?
  • How do you behave at work, e.g. Code of Conduct.

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Interpersonal boundaries

These include the following:

  • The tone of voice people use with one another
  • The attitude and approach co-workers use with each other and customers
  • The ability to focus on work goals even with people you do not like or with whom you have different opinions and beliefs


Physical boundaries – refer to the area directly around a person that he/she considers to be their personal space

Mental boundaries include a person’s beliefs, thoughts, decisions and choices

Emotional Boundaries refer to a person’s self esteem and feelings

Lesson Summary

Job Responsibility Boundaries:

  • Established by the organization
  • Define responsibility and reporting requirements
  • Follow national standards
  • Answer questions like:
    • Who do you report to?
    • Who gives you feedback?
    • Who sets your work priorities?
    • How is organizational and customer information kept secure?
    • How do you treat all staff and customers fairly?
    • How do you behave at work?

Interpersonal boundaries:

  • Tone of voice used with one another
  • Attitude and approach of co-workers with each other and customers
  • Ability to focus on work goals with people you do not like or with different opinions and beliefs

Physical boundaries:

  • Area directly around a person that they consider their personal space

Mental boundaries:

  • Include a person's beliefs, thoughts, decisions, and choices

Emotional boundaries:

  • Refer to a person's self esteem and feelings

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