Page 5 - The MIL Connection: Winter 2022

Enjoying holiday cheer

REPS Sector team members shared a bit of holiday cheer at a recent luncheon to celebrate the season and recognize the
achievements of several of its Southern Maryland team members. Four members of the REPS group (Charity Higgs, Calvin
Brown, Justin Crupper, and Betsy Channell) received certificates of achievement from head elf Tom Clark for successfully
completing MILTON online training courses.
Congratulations to all!

employee stories

Setting healthy work boundaries in any environment

By Dr. Sadie S. Davis

It’s hard to believe the shock we all endured through the points so that you can end your workday. If you need the hard
pandemic. Thinking back two years ago, who could have reset of “walking away,” do just that. Rise from your telework
predicted that most organizations would need to quickly desk and physically walk away when your workday is over.
adapt to a telework environment, and then have to decide What is expected/for how long/can you make it? Many
whether to continue with full telework or adapt to a hybrid organizations have a busy season that requires extra hours,
work environment. You’d think that this adaptation is leading and MIL is no different. As the saying goes, “you can’t pour
more individuals to realize the true importance of a work life from an empty cup.” During times where extra work hours are
balance and mental health. But is it really? This will not be needed, make sure you take periodic breaks.
a “10-steps to creating a work life balance” read, but rather
focus on the importance of setting workplace boundaries in a In this relationship, what is your dealbreaker? There are
telework or hybrid work environment. times when being a team player for work takes priority. Just
We love our colleagues, our work, and work environment, and like your life can be a distraction to your work, your work
can be a distraction from your life. When you love your work
when you take pride in your work and work family, you want and work where you love, you are in it for the long-term.
them to be as successful as possible. Sometimes that can cause Remembering to communicate to protect your physical and
us to blur the lines of our work-life balance. Wherever you are mental health will help you stay happy right where you are.
and whatever it is that you do, your dedication is appreciated. It will also help your leadership be aware of how you, and
However, we care about your physical and mental health others, are feeling and
outside of work as well. We encourage employees to use paid can advocate for changes
time off to recharge and be the best version of you for work and support if needed. It’s
and home. One way to do this is to set boundaries. But what important to set agreed
does that mean in a telework environment when you’re not upon boundaries with
physically getting up and walking into or out of a building leadership but remember
every day? the hardest person to

Stand up and walk away. The first step is to set boundaries set boundaries for in a
with and for yourself. You have a work schedule, start and end telework environment may
times, so stick to those hours—you owe that much to yourself. be yourself.
If you find it hard to do, set a reminder to look for stopping
winter 2022 | the MIL connection | 5