Category: Workplace Mental Health

How Marginalized People Can Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Author By Reina Gattuso, Contributor
Posted:
Woman at coffee shop with laptop

Studies show it, anecdotes illustrate it, and entire movements are built around it: When it comes to professional and even personal success, historically marginalized people — women, racial minorities, sexual minorities, people with disabilities, and others — are judged negatively for their strengths.

Whether it’s women being punished for academic success or people of color being judged less competent than their less-qualified white peers, discrimination continues to hamper us, from the classroom to the boardroom.

Continue reading How Marginalized People Can Overcome Imposter Syndrome

How Successful People Handle 3 Types of Toxic Coworkers

Author By Melody Wilding
Posted:
Young African-American woman works at desk in airy office space

“How Successful People Handle 3 Types of Toxic Coworkers” originally appeared on Fairygodboss, an online career community for women, by women. 

Every workplace is filled interesting personalities —including frustrating ones.

If you feel like you’re surrounded by difficult people at the office — perhaps people who talk too much or a micromanaging boss — take heart, because you’re not alone. Studies have found that one in eight people leave a job due to problems with co-workers.

Since we spend more time at work than at home (and quitting tomorrow isn’t an option for most people), it’s worthwhile to figure out ways to get along.

Continue reading How Successful People Handle 3 Types of Toxic Coworkers

How to Know If a Company Will Be a Good Place for Your Mental Health

Author By Ashley Lessa, Contributor
Posted:
Young handsome man with coffee

Working while living with a mental health condition is often difficult. While some companies are becoming more aware of the importance of workplace mental health, not all employers are accommodating. It takes a lot of time and energy to apply for a new job, and it is deflating to start a new job only to find out the environment is not conducive to your mental health and well-being.

Perhaps the duties of the position are more demanding than what was initially expected, the hours are excessively long, or there is no HR support. To prevent this situation, job seekers can prioritize finding an employer that cares about mental health. Here’s how.

Continue reading How to Know If a Company Will Be a Good Place for Your Mental Health

Should You Disclose a Mental Illness During the Hiring Process?

Author By Renee Fabian, Contributor
Posted:
man interviewing disclose mental illness during interview

I run around my apartment a little out of sorts, throwing random items of clothing into an overnight bag. From reading the hospital’s website, I know I can’t bring anything with drawstrings, but I throw my green hoodie in the bag anyway. I can’t imagine being without it.

My packing done and my hospital check-in time set, I’m not sure what else to do with myself on a Friday afternoon. I haven’t been to work in three days, but I guess I should inform them what’s happening. I hop in the car and fly over to the office to catch up on a few hours of work before being locked in a mental hospital for a week or to officially ask my boss for more time off, or…I don’t know what I was thinking. I was clearly in a paranoid, panicked, mentally ill state.

Continue reading Should You Disclose a Mental Illness During the Hiring Process?

How Staying in a Job You Hate Affects Your Mental Health

Author By Renee Fabian, Contributor
Posted:
man with head in hands across from boss

When it comes to your career, there is nothing worse than a job you hate, literally.

According to a University of Manchester study, having a “poor quality” job — a job you hate — is actually worse for your mental health than having no job at all. It may sound hard to believe until you’ve been there — hostile co-workers, a passive-aggressive boss, or mind-numbing assignments. Not to mention we often spend 40 or more hours a week invested in our job, and that’s a lot of time to spend in a bad situation.

For the 51% of Americans employed full-time who reported to Gallup in 2017 that they’re uninterested in their jobs and the 16% who dislike their workplace, staying at a job you hate is bad news for your mental health. Here’s why.

Continue reading How Staying in a Job You Hate Affects Your Mental Health

How to Address Your Mental Health During Hiring Season

Author By Renee Fabian, Contributor
Posted:
young woman nervous during job interview

Networking and business cards. Cover letters and resumes. Applications and interviews. It all adds up to the same thing — job hunting.

If any of these concepts, say networking or interviewing, make your hair stand on end, you’re in good company. According to a 2013 study, 92 percent of Americans fear at least one part of the job interview process, whether that’s having the jitters, showing up late for the interview, or not knowing how to answer difficult questions. This doesn’t even cover the nail-biting anxiety of waiting for a return email or phone call after you’ve sent off yet another application or completed an interview.

Combine the normal job search stress with a mental health issue, and the task may seem impossible.

Continue reading How to Address Your Mental Health During Hiring Season

As Workplaces Discuss Sexual Harassment Prevention, Are They Neglecting Treatment?

Author By AnnaMarie Houlis, Contributor
Posted:
female therapist holding folder comforting woman client

“As Workplaces Discuss Sexual Harassment Prevention, Are They Neglecting Treatment?” originally appeared on Fairygodboss, an online career community for women, by women. 

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, workplaces across the country are discussing how to prevent sexual harassment and penalize guilty employees. But, like all national issues, it’s important to not only consider prevention, but also treatment for those already affected.

New research published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology warns that sexual harassment at work is a “chronic problem” for women in the workplace — one that can cause lasting mental illness. Continue reading As Workplaces Discuss Sexual Harassment Prevention, Are They Neglecting Treatment?

9 Tips for Managing Gaps in Your Resume Due to Mental Illness

Author By Mary Walton, Contributor
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resume pen glasses on table

If you live with mental illness, there may be gaps in your resume where you had to take time off work. Sometimes those gaps can be months or even years long. Now you’re on the mend, and you’re looking to re-enter the job market. You’re worried though that those gaps will count against you.

Fortunately you can write a resume or cover letter that is honest about your gaps but still presents you in a positive light. Here’s how:

1. See The Gaps As A Good Thing

Don’t be so down on yourself about the gaps in your resume. When you took time off work to tackle your mental health, that showed that you were taking responsibility for your own well being. After all, you can’t be an effective employee if you’re coming in to work ill. Those gaps demonstrate you’re willing to overcome adversity and take personal responsibility. You can play these traits up in your resume to illustrate what a valuable employee you could be. Continue reading 9 Tips for Managing Gaps in Your Resume Due to Mental Illness

6 Ways to Deal With Your Narcissistic Boss

Author By Dr. Samantha Rodman, Clinical Psychologist
Posted:
female employee at desk frustrated with male boss standing behind her

Narcissism, or Narcissistic Personality Disorder, is almost as hard to deal with in the workplace as it is in family or intimate relationships. The most difficult situation is when your boss is a narcissist, because not only are you forced into close contact with your boss every day, but you are dependent on them for your income.

When your boss is unpredictable, self-centered, and easily upset, you might develop something akin to a PTSD response when you go into work each day. You are terrified of being insulted, shamed in front of coworkers, overlooked for opportunities, or even fired. Fortunately, though, there are ways to deal with your narcissistic boss that may allow you to survive and even thrive at work. Continue reading 6 Ways to Deal With Your Narcissistic Boss

How Much Effort Do Women Put Into Coping With Sexual Harassment in a Day?

Author By Reina Gattuso, Contributor
Posted:
women at work uncomfortable with male co-worker touching her on arm

It’s that knot of anxiety in the pit of your stomach when you walk down the street. You step off the train, your bag in front of your breasts, flinching lest the next passerby brush you “accidentally-on-purpose.”

It’s never knowing whether your boss is leaning just a little too close.

It’s turning the music up loud so you don’t hear the catcallers, or turning down an invitation to a work outing because the coworker who’s going has a reputation for getting handsy when he’s drunk. Continue reading How Much Effort Do Women Put Into Coping With Sexual Harassment in a Day?