Lesson 4: Workplace Boundaries

Is my co-worker my "best friend" or my colleague?
What topics should I never talk about at work?
Whose sandwich is in the fridge?

Small Talk
Oversharing
Boundaries
Harassment
Confidentiality
Professional Distance
Neutral Topics

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.3
CRP.09

- Description: Students will engage in a topic sorting activity where they categorize conversation starters (ex. the weather, weekend plans, politics, gossip, or medical issues) into "Safe," "Proceed with Caution," and "Keep it Private." They will also simulate a breakroom environment to practice "Physical Boundaries" (arm's length rule) and "Property Boundaries" (not touching others' food/gear).
- Purpose: To prevent social isolation or disciplinary action. Students often struggle with the "unwritten rules" of work, leading to awkwardness or HR complaints. This lesson makes those rules explicit.
- DOK Level: 3

- Support: Provide a "Safe Topic Cheat Sheet" for the breakroom (ex. sports, movies, local Meriden events, food).
- Visual: Use "Conversation Circles"—a diagram showing a center circle (Work Tasks), a middle circle (Small Talk), and an outer circle (Private Life) to show what stays in and what stays out.
- Kinesthetic: Use a literal "Boundaries Rope" or floor tape to show what 3 feet of personal space looks like during a conversation.
- Social Stories: Use "What Happens Next?" cards featuring common breakroom dilemmas (ex. a co-worker starts complaining about the boss; what do you do?)

- The "Breakroom Role-Play": Students are placed in a "Breakroom" setting. The teacher (acting as a chatty co-worker) tries to bait the student into gossip or oversharing. The student is graded on their ability to pivot back to "Safe" topics.
- Safe/Unsafe Sorting Quiz: A visual quiz where students look at pictures of workplace interactions and identify if a boundary is being respected or broken.