Weepy member of staff

faerie~spangles

sammyjammy wrote: »

Or none of the above :mad:

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Oh dear, p'raps I should have also mentioned that I too can well up for no apparent reason.

[Deleted User]

Personally, I am quite a sensitive soul myself, but there is a time and a place for the tears and when I feel tearful at work, I make sure I save it for when I can be alone, it's just unprofessional otherwise. I don't mean to be heartless but she is there for one thing only: to do a job. If the tears get in the way of her work, I think she needs to be approached (gently) about it. I would fully expect my boss to approach me if I was getting teary at work as it affects how efficient someone can be.

nonnie44

Totally agree Sammyjammy, I get upset and the more sympathy I get the worse it is, I've lost count of the amount of times I've made the inside of my cheeks very sore from chewing on them trying to stop myself from crying! :eek: It's a flipping curse being like this, but I can no sooner change the colour of my eyes than change my emotions so you just get on with it - anyway I blame my mum, I get it from her :rotfl:

heretolearn_2

Thanks to all the weepy drawers out there for your perspective. It sounds as if just quietly ignoring it and carrying on is the best thing to do then.

Googlewhacker

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Poor woman, she is probably one of these people who have been forced back into work when they are not well enough. There could be any reason, she is probably on the edge, got a terminal illness could be anything. Try to befriend and talk to her.

Oh Come on, thats a big jump to make considering the information that was provided...

jollymummy

When I was in my early 20s I was a weepy drawers. However, due to many things happening, I had some counselling when my Dad died and I had what my doctor called a burn out. Since then I seem to have started handling things much more. (Once I realised the world wouldn't end if I said what I felt instead of bottling it up and getting upset).
I wonder if she has low self esteem, especially if she's been a SAHM for years. Personally I'd take her to an office elsewhere and ask if she's ok, have a chat and say it is your work we are discussing, it's not a personal attack.

Blackpool_Saver

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Oh Come on, thats a big jump to make considering the information that was provided...

Yes, but still a possibility, it could also be the menopause, she could be being abused, it could be anything, some depressed people can put on a very good act

Googlewhacker

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Yes, but still a possibility, it could also be the menopause, she could be being abused, it could be anything, some depressed people can put on a very good act

Exactly it could be anything, anything that is trivial as well.

You specifically said it 'sounds like which indicates you believed that was what it was.'

toshkininny

Well done on seeing if there is some way you can help her. I think you should take her out for lunch and just let her know that you are there to help her, and remind her that you have been in the same position as her - going back to work after kids - and you know what it is like. Then see if you can find out the reason for the tearfulness.

If she is anything like me, I had to take Rescue Remedy for a few months when I started back at work after having children because I was panicking about getting anything wrong.

As you say I think it is pride, and the fact that she may be a perfectionist and doesn't like to get anything wrong. Some people get upset about the slightest thing very easily, that's me, and I understand where this lady is coming from. It is hard to stop being teary if you are worrying about getting anything wrong and at extreme, may lose your job.

SarEl

Has anyone thought of doing the obvious - instead of speculating wildly? If there is someone at work who gets on with her, manager or colleague, why not just ask? OK, not blurting it out in the middle of the office, but a quiet word. Some women (and actually a few men) do get emotional if criticised and tear up, no matter how nicely you do it, and are often embarassed by it because it's a reaction they can't control. If she just wants you to ignore it, then fine. If she wants some help, or there's a problem, then also fine - you can sort it if you know about it. It sounds like she is generally doing really well, so a positive conversation about how well she is doing, but everyone makes little mistakes at times and you've noticed she gets upset when they are pointed out but really, she always responds so well and gets back on track, so you don't know whether she's just feeling a little vulnerable, or maybe it's just the way she is - could she help out because you want to be a support to her...?