Healthy or Unhealthy
Your coworker, Oscar Martinez, is really funny. He makes you laugh all of the time. You enjoy working with him because you're able to get the job done while also having a good time. Working with Oscar makes you feel happy and comfortable. Is this a healthy or unhealthy professional relationship?
Healthy.
It is healthy to laugh and have fun in the workplace, as long as you are able to still meet the expectations and get the job done.
This type of relationship is one that we have with the people who are related to us.
Family. (cousin, parents, daughter, etc.)
Your coworker, Meredith Palmer, tells you that they are interested in a romantic relationship with you. You let them know you are not interested and would like to keep the relationship professional. Your coworker will not stop asking you to go out with them and it is making you uncomfortable in the workplace. What should you do?
Report it immediately! Your workplace should remain a place where you feel safe and comfortable. If anyone in the workplace is making you feel uncomfortable with their words or actions, you should report it to your supervisor so that it can be addressed promptly.
True or False:
Is is appropriate to engage in a romantic relationship in the workplace at any type of job.
False.
It is not appropriate to pursue or engage in romantic relationships in the workplace.
Listening involves the use of our ears.
__________listening involves the use of our ears, eyes, mouth, and body.
Active (listening)
Your coworker, Toby Flenderson, noticed that you are having a bad day. He asks you if you want to talk about it, or if there is anything that he can do for you to help. Is this a healthy or unhealthy workplace relationship?
Healthy.
Checking in on our coworkers and being there for them when they are having a bad day is an example of a healthy professional relationship.
This type of relationship is one that we have with people we know/have met but don't share a bond with.
Casual/Acquaintance (neighbor, mailman, doctor, etc.)
You told one of your coworkers, Michael Scott, about a personal matter you are dealing with at home and found out that they told another coworker after you asked them not to say anything. What should you do?
If this is a boundary violation for you, you should talk with the coworker and explain that you trusted them to not say anything and they violated that trust.
You should also take this as a lesson to be cautious about what you share, and who you share it with, in the workplace.
True or False:
Boundaries help us set limits in our relationships.
True.
Boundaries let others know what we will and will not tolerate in relationships.
Gossip, rumors, tattling, bullying, lying, and excessive teasing are all examples of what type of communication (helpful or harmful)?
Harmful (communication)
Your coworker, Jim Halpert, is always playing pranks on others in the workplace. Sometimes he puts their personal belongings in jello, puts their personal belongings in the vending machines, and has even dressed up as other people to mock them. These pranks are often upsetting to others. Is this a healthy or unhealthy professional relationship?
Unhealthy.
It is okay to joke around at work, however, pranks such as these are inappropriate for the workplace and are offensive to others.
This type of relationship is one that we have with individuals whom we share a platonic bond with.
Friends. (Best friend, friend, etc.)
You consider your coworker, Andy Bernard, to be a good friend of yours. You enjoy sitting together at lunch and breaks and look forward to chatting with them throughout the day. During lunch one day, you notice that there is no room at the table where your friend is sitting. What should you do?
Sit at another table.
Remember, it is healthy for our friends to have friendships outside of ours. It is also healthy for you to socialize with people other than your close friends. Find another seat, and get to know your other coworkers.
True or False:
Healthy relationships make us feel disrespected, insecure, and uncomfortable.
False.
Healthy relationships make us feel respected, secure, and comfortable.
Personal ________are limits that we put in place to let other people know what we will and will not tolerate.
Boundaries
Your coworker, Kelly Kapoor, is dating another one of your coworkers in the workplace. She talks about their relationship constantly and doesn't allow the other coworker any free time without her. The relationship makes people around them feel uncomfortable. Is this a healthy or unhealthy workplace relationship?
Unhealthy.
This is an example of an unhealthy workplace relationship because it violates the boundaries of other coworkers and the individuals involved in the relationship aren't acting in a professional manner in the workplace.
This type of relationship is one that we have with people that we work with or interact with in the workplace.
Professional. (coworker, supervisor, customers, etc.)
You always see your coworker, Creed Bratton, slacking off during work time. They sit at their station and spend a lot of their time not working. You like to work hard and it upsets you to see your coworker not working. What should you do?
M.Y.O.B.
Unless your coworker's slacking in their work directly affects your work, you should mind your own business. Your coworker's poor work ethic is their problem, not yours, and eventually they will be the ones to have to face the consequences of those actions, not you. Your best bet is to just stay focused on your own work and ensure that you are meeting your own job requirements-let the supervisor's handle the rest.
True or False:
Harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment.
True.
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission-Harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision.
These four letters mean staying out of other people's business and focusing your attention on your own matters.
M.Y.O.B.
Mind your own business
Your coworker, Michael Scott, attended your art show outside of work to support you. He even bought one of your paintings because he liked it so much. Is this a healthy or unhealthy professional relationship?
Healthy.
It is a good thing to support your coworkers in positive ways whenever you can. It lets them know that you care.
This type of relationship is one that we have with individuals whom we share an intimate bond with.
Romantic. (boyfriend/girlfriend, fiance, husband/wife, etc.)
Your cousin, Mose, just got a job at your place of employment. You're excited to work with someone you know so well, but they keep bringing your home life into the workplace. Every day they want to talk to you about family problems and other personal issues while at work and it is starting to distract you. What should you do?
Establish boundaries.
This is a perfect example of why boundaries are important in the workplace. In a situation like this, you would need to let your family member know that you do not want to talk about family issues or personal problems in the workplace and that you are there to focus on work. Establishing this boundary will let your family member know your limits in the workplace.
True or False:
There can be consequences for violating workplace boundaries, policies, and expectations.
True.
Consequences vary depending on the specific circumstances of the situation, but can include:
Suspension, Termination, Loss of Respect, Broken Trust, Legal Consequences, and warnings.
This is the main foundation of all relationships, regardless of the type of relationship.
Trust