A follow up story: My work situation became worse—Empower Work was there for me.
After a conversation with a peer counselor, Kessie, a health care clinic manager, shared her experience with us about how she’d reached out when she didn’t know where else to turn. Recently, she contacted us with a follow up.
We've exchanged nearly 200,000 messages with U.S. workers since March 2020. Here's what we've learned.
As we recognize Labor Day 2021, 18 months have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged across the world and upended workplaces here at home. At Empower Work, we talk directly every day with workers who reach out for support in moments of distress, and we’ve exchanged nearly 200,000 messages since March 2020. Through thousands of vulnerable moments shared, we have a unique view into what people are facing—and what we can do to support them.
How Empower Work helped me when no one had my back
I reached out to Empower Work because I’d hit a breaking point. I’d been dealing with a bunch of issues in my workplace for over a year including a demeaning, bullying manager. I took every action I could think of to try to change things for the better, but nothing helped.
Pregnant and unsure how that would impact my job search, I decided to stick it out. But when I returned from unpaid leave, it was worse.
How I navigated the aftermath of a salary negotiation that left me feeling undervalued
Chris, one of our incredible volunteers, has generously chosen to share their story about reaching out to Empower Work as a texter. In this post they explore what the outcome was, and how it has changed they way they think about work.
Their issue: “I had just started a new job in a new industry and basically did a really bad job negotiating. I didn’t realize how much it was bothering me until a couple of months in. I feel like I struggle with salary a lot in several directions. Money should not be the way that people are valued. But also, in the world today, salary unfortunately represents the way your work is valued. I was struggling with feeling like my work wasn’t valued or respected.”
From texter to volunteer: how Empower Work helped me at a tough moment
Laura, an Empower Work peer counselor, talks about how why she volunteers, and how she discovered Empower Work when she herself was in a difficult workplace situation.
From Laura: “The Empower Work peer counselor helped me realize that perhaps what I needed most was not necessarily leaving my job--but figuring out what I need to enjoy my job. The fact that the conversation was anonymous and via text allowed me to be more open. I was able to answer questions more honestly without fear of judgement or embarrassment. During such a difficult time, it was really helpful for me to use an anonymous platform to get it all out there to be fully supported in the best way possible for me.“
What's it Like to Text with an Empower Work Peer Counselor?
Facing tough issues at work can be emotionally draining, confusing, and stressful––like you’re stuck under the clouds. As the first confidential text line for work issues, Empower Work is on a mission to support people through their toughest, stormiest moments by helping them find a next step that feels right. If you have a non-legal issue that’s impacting your ability to thrive at work, the peer counselors with Empower Work can help.