Photo by Louis Hanse, Unsplash.

In workplaces we often focus on productivity, innovation and collaboration, but an important aspect of employee well-being is sometimes overlooked: respect for physical boundaries and personal space. Each person can be imagined as being inside an invisible eggshell. This is what we refer to as the “eggshell space”. It represents the personal zone that everyone needs to feel safe and comfortable. When others enter this space without consent, it can create discomfort or even anxiety. In the workplace, maintaining appropriate distance in interactions, avoiding unwanted touch and designing workspaces that allow people to feel secure and free not only shows respect for colleagues but also improves focus, trust and the quality of collaboration. Building a culture of open conversation about personal boundaries and normalizing the practice of asking for permission before approaching or touching someone is a small but powerful step toward creating healthier and more human-centered workplaces. Perhaps it is time to bring up the idea of the “eggshell space” in team discussions and explore how we can respect these boundaries in our professional environments.