Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences most people will ever have. When you compound that with the stress of a busy professional life, things can get complicated. While you probably don’t want to drag your personal life into the office, you may find it difficult to keep your family life from affecting your work life. Here are some tips on dealing with divorce at work:
Know who to tell.
While you are probably not going to want to announce to your entire team at work that you’re getting a divorce, you should share the news with a few select people. Your immediate supervisor should know since there will be times you will need to be away from the office for mediation or court. Your HR department should also be informed since the divorce could impact your benefits plans. No one needs to hear the sordid details; just the fact that you are ending your marriage is sufficient.
Simplify the process.
You don’t want your divorce to be any harder on your than it has to be, which is why it is important for you to find a divorce attorney you connect with and can rely on. He or she will be able to prepare you for what’s to come so you can manage your schedule appropriately. Knowing what to expect can really help you manage your stress levels at work and at home.
Simplify your workload.
While it may be tempting to take on a lot of new projects at work to keep your mind off your divorce, doing so can also add a lot of unnecessary stress to your life. Give yourself permission to say “no” to extra work during this emotional time in your life.
Leave drama at the office door.
It can be hard to focus on your job when there is so much upheaval in your home life. When you come to work, the best thing you can do is leave the drama at the door. If you don’t want to discuss your home life at work, then come up with an all-purpose answer to inquiring co-workers to let them know you are dealing with something personal and don’t want to talk about it. Then thank them for their concern and carry on.
Try to reduce your stress level.
When you’re going through a divorce, you are in a highly emotional space and sometimes even the smallest things can set you off — just what you don’t want to happen at work. Find small ways to de-stress during your workday, like listening to your favorite playlist during breaks or getting out of the office for lunch. Something as simple as keeping your office space clear of clutter can help you focus better on work rather than the divorce.
When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, the advice and assistance of an experienced family law attorney often proves crucial to your understanding of the issues involved and your satisfaction with the ultimate outcome of your family law matter. Contact us today for your free consultation.
