Have you ever cried at work?

[Anonymous]

I'm Gen X and locked that stuff down as a young person. When I first ascended into management roles I was really shocked by how many of the new generation would openly cry at work. It's so uncomfortable for everyone. However, the older I get the more I've become comfortable with the people's feelings. Sometimes crap hurts, whether it's being counseled on an error or losing a job, or just having a lot of problems that you're sitting with at work. Everyone's under a lot of pressure. I would only act on crying negatively if it were part of a pattern of emotional outbursts at work that suggested emotional disregulation at work and being too overwhelmed / distracted / perpetually unfocused. I now have younger people who report to me who cry sometimes, and it is what it is. I don't think it's better or worse. I think they'll maybe grow out of it, but maybe they won't. I have kids of my own now, who are quick to cry. Not sure any of us benefit from suppressing emotion as much as my generation has, and as men have....

[Anonymous]

Yes. When I was at DOJ, at one point, I had so much work and could not get extensions from the court (and they would not assign additional attorneys to the case to help me). I was so exhausted and overwhelmed that I teared up - I was not sobbing or anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have. So what? If my colleague does, I understand that people go through some serious sh:t sometimes and offer as much of an ear/empathy as possible. People are human. Let's not expect them to be anything else.

-gen x male

+1! Right on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have. So what? If my colleague does, I understand that people go through some serious sh:t sometimes and offer as much of an ear/empathy as possible. People are human. Let's not expect them to be anything else.

-gen x male

+1! Right on.

Please make this a bumper sticker. I wish everyone felt this way.

[Anonymous]

Several times. Very difficult clients.

[julie73]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, earlier this week someone accused me of something I didn't do and I cried while I was on the call with my boss (fortunately it was just a call, no video, and I was just very quiet. I don't think she knew I was crying, but she may have suspected it). Fortunately my boss is very supportive and had my back, but I was still quite distraught.

I'm sorry that has happened to you too. I was in a face to face meeting with my boss and tried so hard to fight back the tears, however unsuccessfully the tears won. Even though my boss listened to me with an open mind and supportive, I felt a bit of a betrayal within my coworkers.

[Anonymous]

I think I've cried three times at work (I'm a teacher)
Once when a coworker yelled at me. I hid in my classroom and cried.
Once when I was 8 months pregnant, a student hit me in my stomach. I cried during a meeting afterwards.
And once when I heard what happened to one of my students (a refugee) before coming to our school.

[Anonymous]

I cry all the time at work. I work in a touchy feely field, so no one bats an eye. I've tried all sort of strategies to not cry, but I just cry when I'm overwhelmed. I probably can't ever leave my current role, since the crying probably wouldn't be tolerated anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have. So what? If my colleague does, I understand that people go through some serious sh:t sometimes and offer as much of an ear/empathy as possible. People are human. Let's not expect them to be anything else.

-gen x male

You are fking kidding me. Oh man, I would love to see a guy cry. Lol

[Anonymous]

My first day on a new job. I cried in the bathroom about 5 hours in after realizing I had been misled on my duties and the scope of the job at hand.

I asked a very specific question during my interview, "will I be required to do ABC" and was told no. Day 1, right after my initial onboarding, I was given exactly ABC to do.

I told my supervisor that I was assured ABC was not part of this job before I accepted. My supervisor said "at the time, it was not. But the scope of the job duties have changed." In a week? No, you lied. You wanted my expertise for this very specific job & knew I would pass if it was part of my duties.

It was a combination of anger of the baiting & switching and frustration that I was once again going to have to do a task I did not enjoy and struggled with at my last job.

I gave notice the Monday morning of my 2nd week. I was fully prepared to suck it up for 2 weeks and get them established on the project but luckily that afternoon I was told I was no longer needed. I did get paid through the end of the month, so that was nice.