How to Handle a Tough Day at Work

Among the many problems that can arise at work are some that come up most often, regardless of the nature of the work involved. In general these problems fall into the categories of job security, stress, and personal conflicts.

Especially in our recessionary economy, the prospect of a layoff looms over every employee's head like a dreadful dark cloud. Regardless of how good a job you do, circumstances might necessitate cutting back on the workforce. At this point, you would get a very impersonal letter telling you your services no longer are needed. The impersonal nature of such communication is very appropriate because we shouldn't take it personally at all.

The normal reaction of an employee working under such a threat is not to knock himself or herself out, because the result of effort might be dismissal. In a sense, this is a blessing because it reduces the stress of the workplace.

But for other employees, there's stress not only from the exacting nature of the job itself, but possibly from contact with people at work who cause irritation and anger.

If the job is one that requires meticulous attention to detail, an employee must learn to manage the stress by taking frequent breaks and sensing when the timing may be right for making a crucial decision or performing a delicate procedure.

Those employees who can perform well at such jobs consistently usually succeed as professionals.

The personal frictions that may develop between people at work are more difficult to handle than the job itself. There are methods of dealing with these circumstances that range from ignoring people to confronting them. Since confrontation can result in high stress or even a fight that would be grounds for dismissal, the choice of most workers is to evade, avoid, and ignore, as much as possible, the person who is causing anger at work.

When that person becomes ever-present, confrontation eventually must occur. At that time, the employee can only hope that the outcome will be favorable.

Of all the work difficulties, personal frictions are the most dangerous. The job security within the broader economy is something no one can control anyway. The stress of a meticulous job is something a person can learn to manage so as to endure and survive. But the danger of an angry showdown at work is an ever-present danger that could cause a catastrophe when least expected.

In cases where annoyance is blatant and amounts to illegal harassment, laws can be enforced to resolve the problem. But personal frictions that endure to make work-life uncomfortable are far more subtle, and can not be resolved easily. One can only keep one's fingers crossed that a favorable outcome will arise fortuitously.

This is the dark side of work. The bright side is that it's all in the game, and it's all better than unemployment (but not by much).