Remote employee can’t stop his family from interrupting him during work hours: ‘I have tried the obvious stuff: closed door, calendar blocks, Slack status, headset, and a sign. It helps for a day or two, and then everything drifts back to how it was’

Author image for Olivia Arocena
Olivia Arocena • Writer and Editor
Oct 2, 2026 11:15 AM EDT

People still think that working from home means you are not working

I know we sometimes work in our pajamas; I know it seems like we're chilling on the computer, but we are most definitely working. "Just on the computer" transforms cognitively demanding labor into something resembling leisure. It's not.

We have the privilege of not having to travel at 6 am to go somewhere to do the same thing we can do from home, but let's not add difficulties to that as well.

In this story, there is an interesting contradiction between 'I want boundaries' and 'I don't want to be rude'. That contradiction is very common. Most of us learned that boundaries are problematic or can make people feel bad. We have to unlearn that. Boundaries are the only way we can have healthier relationships.

To have healthy relationships, we have to be clear about what we need. If we have to have uncomfortable conversations to get there, so be it.

A boundary inevitably creates a small amount of inconvenience for the other person, but that doesn't make you unreasonable. There isn't a magic solution that makes boundaries painless for everyone. Indeed, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs, apparently.

I think this story is more about this person coming to terms with the fact that being available all the time is unhealthy. It's ok to need time for yourself and to separate work from home as much as humanly possible.

Working from home has created new forms of intimacy, and therefore we have to find new ways to establish rules and boundaries around it. It's hard work, but we have to have the conversation.

I'm sure that when the boundaries are clear, everybody will understand them, but clearly that's not easy for this person. Great opportunity to learn something new!

What would you do in this situation?

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  • Cheezburger Image 10668107008
    via Vitaly Gariev

    I'm working!

    Actor performance of story events

  • How do you set boundaries when family assumes working from home means you're always available?

    I work fully remote, mostly meetings, tickets, and writing docs, and I live in a small town where a lot of people still think work only counts if you leave the house.
    via Mykola2024
  • Lately I'm having a hard time setting boundaries with my partner and a couple family members. Because I'm at home they will pop into my office to ask quick questions, start talking while I'm on
    via Mykola2024
  • camera, or assume I can run an errand because I'm "just on the computer." I have a dedicated desk, keep normal hours, and I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it's starting to wreck my focus and I feel like I'm constantly on edge. Even
    via Mykola2024
  • when I escape to the library for quiet (I bring my crochet to decompress on breaks), I feel guilty for not being instantly reachable. I have tried the obvious stuff: closed door, calendar blocks, Slack
    via Mykola2024
  • status, headset, and a sign. It helps for a day or two. and then everything drifts back to how it was. For people who have been remote long term, what actually changed things for you?
    via Mykola2024
  • A few specific things I would love feedback on: - What words or short scripts worked without sounding ride? - Do you treat your workspace like an office
    via Mykola2024
  • with no interruptions, or do you allow certain exceptions? How do you decide? - Any practical setup changes that helped the message stick: physical cues, schedules, shared
    via Mykola2024
  • Cheezburger Image 10668106752
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Boundaries are needed

    Model portrayal

  • calendar rules, or routines? I want realistic advice for living with other people, not just "move out" or "tell them to deal with it."
    via Mykola2024
  • Long_Expression_8589 the thing that finally stuck for me was making "quick question" wait until lunch, because the door/signs became background noise after a while and people only took it seriously when i stopped
    via Long_Expression_8589
  • Possum577 How can your family in your home see your calendar or slack status. Tell them you're working, you'll be available after [whatever time work hours end]. Try to do it nicely.
    via Possum577
  • KEEP OUT CTS OF
    via Sandy Millar

    The sign this employee needs

    Still frame for contextual reference only

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Tags

workplace-stories remote work toxic-workplace work workplace toxic-work-environment
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