Steady approach: When times are tough, be honest, open when seeking assistance
Whether it’s a death in the family, COVID-19-related stress or any other external or internal factor that demands some personal attention, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If your situation requires some time off or an adjustment at work, Erin Holt, an HR consultant in Atlanta, offers four tips to help you deal with emotional and physical issues at the workplace:
1. Be honest without disclosing too much:
“You can share your situation without going into too much detail,” Holt says. “If you have a sick spouse, let your boss know. Same goes with a death in your inner circle. If you’re dealing with physical or emotional issues you’d like to keep private, tell your HR department about the issues you face and they can help you come up with a communication plan for others in your office.”
2. Be prepared: If you know potential pitfalls are ahead, it’s incredibly helpful to be ready to share your job with others at a moment’s notice. “It is always helpful to have your job description and duties written out so if you are out of the office or out of service for some time, your co-workers can pick up the slack and do your job in your absence,” Holt says. “Sometimes it is as simple as 10 points listing the things you do each day or each week. There may be people in your office who have no idea that you are the one who sends out the marketing e-mail each week or organizes the monthly company lunch. Best to let everyone know.”
3. Be available: While it is difficult to deal with outside issues, it is helpful to others if you at least spend the first two or three days making yourself available via email or your phone. “At some point, it is perfectly acceptable to focus on the personal issues at hand, but since questions will arise, it is always nice to be there when there are questions to ask,” says Holt.
4. Be realistic: Don’t say you will be back in a week when you know it will take amonth or longer. Also, don’t say you’ll be back in amonth when you can take care of your issues within a few days. “Things change,” Holt says. “You will always have the ability to adjust your timeline but it is always helpful to have a clear idea of when you will or won’t be back in the office. That only helps people prepare for long- and short-term absences.”