One of my coworkers said she didn’t understand how I dealt with employee relations all day. Some days are spent in and out of conference rooms talking with employees, sadly mostly about bad performance or behavior. I told her I coped by drinking a lot and then I hiccupped, which made her laugh; I don’t drink that much by the way, just saying.The way I deal with the bad days in HR is to get in my car, roll down the window, open the sunroof, crank up the music and sing along until the people in the car beside me speed up because they are embarrassed on my behalf.
As HR people, we deal with confidential information that we can’t gossip about at the water cooler. We know when someone is about to get laid off or written up. We terminate employees that are the sole providers for their family and we tell people they didn’t get the job because someone younger and more qualified got the job. And let’s not forget about those compensation surveys, census reports, ERISA audits, performance reviews….. Sometimes HR is a real downer. On the flip side, we have moments where it’s the best profession; hiring happy people, promotions, adding new babies to insurance, helping employees get on the right professional path.
So how do you deal your crappy days in HR? Do you run, shop, talk to yourself?
Comedy and Kendo. Some times you just have to laugh, and some times you just have to beat the crap out of someone with a bamboo sword.
You are my hero, Puf.
I don’t handle it well, I’ll tell you that! Sometimes I vent to a (confidential) coworker, sometimes I bake goodies when I get home, sometimes I cry in the office with the door closed. When I’m really on the ball I walk on the trail beside our office building. When I’m doing very poorly I look for jobs online. My first year in my current job I gained 20 lbs because I snacked my way through stress. I’m still searching for a good solution.
Like the new design!
I run a lot, and it has always helped me to deal with job stress. This morning as I walked in, I felt strange. I do a lot of thinking and planning for my work outside the “normal” job, and this almost feels like a second, optional job at the moment.
I am with you. Top down on the car, music blaring, and drive really fast if I think I can get by with it,.
Otherwise it is a good nurf gun war with my 8 year old.
Let’s see . . .I run, talk, write, know that it is my choice to be here and I can leave any time (right!), run through all the smart, witty things I should have said and will next time (right!), hug the kiddo, shop, pace and/or go to sleep!
@Puf Is that something we can practice in the office?
@Holly Be careful about venting to cowokers, that one bit me in the butt a few years back. I recommend talking to yourself on the way, you look like a crazy person but it works. Also, get out of the office; walk to the car and back, the fresh air can really clear your head.
@Ben Thanks, I think I finally settled on one I like. I know the feeling, I do that too. I’ve caught myself doing it on the weekends and had to force myself to do or think about something else. There has to be a separation for me to function properly, and also for my husband to like me
Also, Puf is my hero as well.
@Lois Oh I miss my convertible some times, there’s just nothing like it on a really bad day.
@Lisa Sleep, yes! Highly recommended way to relieve stress, second only to shopping!
I’m seeing a trend here, beating people with bamboo swords, nerf guns, driving too fast….wow, we sure are aggressive people!
I blow off steam by reading blog posts like this one. It’s helps me to remember that it’s not just me-workplace drama is universal. It also helps that I’m happily married, fairly healthy, and employed at a company I actually like working for. So basically I should just shut up and not complain at all : – )
I just found your blog via the Slacker Manager. Phil has done a helluva job finding other great bloggers!
I have a 35 min drive home from work. for me, I will find music that has wacky lyrics and requires dancing. every done the YMCA and see faces of people on the way home? Yeah, instant smile. I will wave to people i am driving past or who are driving past me. the best help for me tho is just simply doing a random act of kindness! Whether it be letting that person who is obviously in a rush in front of me at the grocery store, stopping at BK and grabbing a burger for the homeless person whose gut is WAY MORE EMPTY than mine, calling a friend or family member and just telling them i appreciate them. those help me tons. Also, one last anechdotal remedy. If you think your job REALLY sucks, go to a store like walmart, buy the J&J Brand rectal thermometer. Read the back VEEERRRYYYY carefully. it reads “Each and every rectal thermometer personally tested for quality assurance.” Yeah, my job doesn’t suck anymore.
@Justin WELCOME! glad you stopped by!
Each one is personally tested? That’s disturbing on so many levels…..
[...] think at some point in our lives we all suffer from some level of depression/the blues, I’ll be the first to admit that I have. If you know someone that suffers from depression, urge them to seek help from a qualified health [...]