Work is the place we spend a good part of our working day. The people we work with, in a sense, become our "daytime family". We have issues with our co-workers, managers and those we manage, as we did in our own families of origin and our current families, but lack the intimacy to talk about how we are feeling in the work place. Due to this build-up of issues, often times people experience a great deal of stress, sometimes even physical illness, in response to issues that are unaddressed.
With some workers we are able to share our true feelings about a situation and find resolution; however, in many situations, sharing our feelings and upsets in the workplace can lead to being scapegoated or blamed and threaten our employment in a particular company. For instance, sometimes due to jealousy, a personality conflict or other issue, an employee may feel they are being "pushed out" of an organization. To be vulnerable and share one's feelings with vindictive superiors at this time would not be advisable. So the question of many clients with this situation is: what do I do?
Clients who are dealing with these issues are often in a state of depression or anxiety. First I help that person find some relief from their symptoms of depression or tension. Next I help them strategize what approaches may be helpful after getting a sense of their work systems and the part various "players" have. I encourage the client to build a support systems within and without the work place. We identify any personal issues or any family of origin issues which are being triggered for the client in this situation and work on these issues in counseling. Finally, I may sometimes suggest the client seek an attorney's consultation of their own choosing.
In many situations the client is able to find a way to intervene in their work system effectively. Sometimes the situations may be so untenable that the client decides to leave in an empowered way.
While a work issue is unpleasant and frequently threatening, it does have the potential of helping you develop important communication and strategy skills.
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