# The practical plan for a smooth return to work

- **Episode:** [219](https://agents.truthliesandwork.com/episodes/219.md) (2025-07-31)
- **Type:** interview
- **Tags:** return-to-work, planning, boundaries
- **Time:** 32:23–34:49 (start 1943s)
- **Listen:** [https://truthliesandwork.com/219?t=1943](https://truthliesandwork.com/219?t=1943)

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[32:23] Leanne Elliott: I think this is tipping into, into bullying, harassment type behaviors, and setting these boundaries is the only, it's the only way to survive this environment. Um, I think ultimately, you know, long-term, it's, it's, it's not, it's, unless they go through a culture change themselves, it's not going to get any better, but boundaries sounds like survival at this point
[32:45] Elaine Smith: Unfortunately, in a way, it's got to that point. Um, but yeah, for longevity, for protecting our own health, when we think of stress hormones and the damage they can do, um, yeah, we need boundaries to put a line under work and to fill up our life with stuff that's not work, which is really important as well. Um, so that we kind of— I mean, I know work can be varying levels of importance to people, but a lot of people I work with work is a lot of their life, you know, it fills up a lot of their identity, a lot of their reason for being. But that becomes bigger the less, the less other stuff we have in our life. So the less time we spend with family and friends, the less time we do hobbies, you know, we can almost inflate work to a bigger sense of importance by having less in our life. So that's another thing, I think it's probably another episode, but I think that's important as well
[33:36] Al Elliott: I know we've already teased this story, but Honestly, it's kind of, kind of shocking, isn't it?
[33:41] Leanne Elliott: Shocking. So shocking. And Dr. Elaine just called that behaviour exactly what it is— absolutely toxic. And honestly, hearing that listener's story about being sent angry emails whilst they're on holiday, it's hard not to get worked up about that for them
[33:58] Al Elliott: It really, really is. And as we just heard, boundaries are survival at this point. So this isn't about being polite or professional anymore. This is about protecting your mental health from genuinely harmful, Exactly
[34:12] Leanne Elliott: And the psychology she explained— chef's kiss. Even if you reply just once in 10 times, you're actually reinforcing that behavior. That is operant conditioning in action. You are literally training people to harass you. But here's the important thing: even if you do set those boundaries, even if you survive the pushback, there's still that moment of truth When you come back from holiday, that inbox, that anxiety, how do you actually prepare for that without ruining the last few days of your break?
[34:45] Al Elliott: I think we've all been there. So, this is where Dr. Elaine gets really practical