How to Deal with Personal Issues at Work

In many cases, personal issues can negatively affect your work. Many personal problems, including financial issues and relationship problems, can lead to difficulties at work. However, these difficulties can be alleviated by sharing personal issues with your employer and taking the time to care for yourself.

Common Personal Problems in the Workplace

Many personal problems find their way into the workplace and can disrupt workflow.

Financial Issues

If someone is experiencing financial issues such as overdue credit card bills or mortgage payments, it may be hard to leave those problems at home. In a survey conducted in December 2021 of 800 HR leaders and 800 full-time employees commissioned by SoFi, 75% of employees reported having at least one source of financial stress. According to SoFi research, employees typically spend more than nine hours a week at work dealing with personal financial issues.

Substance Abuse

About 9% of working adults in the United States deal with substance abuse disorders, such as addiction to alcohol or drugs, according to the National Safety Council. Substance abuse can lead to fewer hours at work. The average American worker misses 15 days of work each year for reasons other than holidays and vacations, such as illness or injury, according to the council’s report. But for those struggling with substance abuse, they miss an average of 24.6 days per year.

Death

Workers in all types of environments grapple with grief after the death of a relative, friend, or colleague. Although an employee may return to work a few days or weeks after the death, their grief can continue for several months.

Health Issues

Six out of ten adults in the United States suffer from a chronic illness, and four out of ten have at least one chronic condition. Therefore, it is likely that someone in your workplace is struggling with a chronic illness, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or another chronic condition.

Relationship Issues

Trying to sort out relationship issues like separation or divorce can make it difficult to perform at your best at work. It is a relatively common event. It is estimated that 4.6 Americans out of every 1,000 underwent divorce or annulment in 2020.

Childcare Issues

In 2021, nearly 9 in 10 American households with children had at least one member working, and more than 60% of married couples with children lived in dual-income households. Therefore, childcare issues affect millions of American workers.

Office Gossip

While gossip in the office doesn’t necessarily involve matters in your personal life, it can become very personal if you are the target. A 2019 survey of white-collar workers by Office Pulse found that the typical American employee spends 40 minutes a week gossiping about coworkers or workplace matters. Among the hot topics were love triangles and romantic relationships.

Bullying

Bullying in the workplace can evoke painful memories of childhood bullying. A workplace bullying victim may suffer from poor mental health, sleep deprivation, stress-related health problems, and other health issues. According to a 2021 survey by the Workplace Bullying Institute, 30% of working adults are currently experiencing or have previously experienced workplace bullying.

Burnout

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Work-related stress can, among other things, drain your energy and cause burnout. According to a 2021 Indeed survey of 1,500 workers, 52% reported feeling burned out, with most stating that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened their burnout.

How to Deal with Personal Issues at Work

Managing personal problems alongside your job can affect your mental and physical health. However, you can take steps to lessen or eliminate the impact of personal issues on your work.

Stay Calm

You may be able to reduce anxiety about your personal situation by engaging in exercise, meditation, or journaling. Additionally, you might benefit from talking to a mental health professional about your situation.

Realizing that you are not alone in handling personal issues might also provide a sense of calm. Nicole François, an executive communications director with expertise in leadership and organizational development, stated, “We all manage our personal and professional lives these days with less of a boundary between work and home. Being open about personal issues will earn you the respect of your colleagues and may encourage others to communicate more openly about their needs.”

Adjust Your Work Schedule

Modifying your work hours may allow you time to address personal issues. For example, changing shifts or working from home more frequently might make it easier for you to see a mental health professional regarding your marital problems.

A different work schedule can also help avoid a chatty coworker or a bully in the office.

Utilize Workplace Resources

Your employer may offer services that can help you deal with personal issues. For instance, you might be able to access low-cost counseling sessions if your workplace has an employee assistance program. Some employers may fund free sessions on topics such as relationships, health, and personal finance.

Talk to Your Supervisor or Human Resources

François noted that previously, opening discussions at work about personal problems was taboo. However, these days, it may ultimately help both you and your colleagues. Of course, your first conversation should be with your supervisor or human resources.

François said, “That doesn’t mean they need to know all the details about what you’re going through, but being open when you’re facing some difficulties or an exceptional personal challenge can be beneficial not only for you but for the entire team.”

According to François, this type of sharing can give your boss and colleagues the opportunity to show empathy and come up with solutions you might not have considered, eliminating the element of surprise if personal issues cause you to miss work.

Of course, if your personal issue involves illegal or unethical behavior such as harassment, discrimination, gossip, or bullying, it is particularly important to inform your supervisor or human resources about that.

Sharing Your Personal Problems

There may be many ways to initiate a conversation at work about personal issues that may hinder your work. If your personal challenges may require you to take leave to care for a sick relative, for example, François recommends providing an explanation such as this:

There is a need to care for a family member. I don’t know yet what all of this will entail, but I know that I feel sad about it and need to prioritize my family right now.

As a result, I may need to take some time to provide care in the near future or perhaps make some plans to take leave, or I may not be able to complete [the project]. I want to be upfront with you about my situation because it may affect my work, and I know that with some planning, we can address this together.

Responsibilities

Employers and Employees

In many cases, laws regulate how to deal with personal issues in the workplace.

Bullying and Harassment

U.S. laws typically do not protect you from bullying or harassment unless you are a member of a protected class. If you are being bullied or harassed because of your race, gender, age, religion, or other protected identity, you may be able to file a formal complaint.

Medical Leave

When it comes to medical issues, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act governs the specific circumstances under which you may need to take leave. Most employees are eligible for
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-deal-with-personal-issues-at-work-526107