Work in the U.S. is not working. 47.8 million workers quit their jobs in 2021, an average of 4 million per month. The data is clear. But the lived experiences of workers are missing. Those experiences point to a public health crisis.

Is your boss sabotaging your career path? You may have a job that you really enjoy, but if your boss is actively undermining your work and holding you back, you might feel overwhelmed and isolated. Sabotage is more than lack of support. When you’re being sabotaged, someone is actively undermining your performance or success. We see this directly through our text line. The situation feels urgent, yet you feel like you’re stuck and like there’s nothing you can do. The good news is, there are steps you can take.

Jaime-Alexis Fowler, Founder and Executive Director of Empower Work sits down with Kathy Gu, Purpose Partnerships Lead at Pinterest, to discuss Empower Work and Pinterest’s new partnership and the shared commitment to supporting worker wellbeing.

PTO is important for your mental wellbeing, productivity, and work-life balance. So, it’s frustrating when your time off isn’t encouraged by your employer. Through our text line, we’ve seen a variety of challenges with PTO. Whatever the cause of the frustration surrounding your PTO, know that there are steps you can take.

Performance reviews have a reputation for being daunting, anxiety-provoking, and full of surprises. Receiving feedback at work shouldn’t make you feel like you’re on the chopping block. So, what should a performance review look like? It should be a healthy conversation between you and your manager where you both reflect on your achievements, discuss areas for improvement and development, and set goals that support you in succeeding in your role. Unfortunately, not all performance reviews go as smoothly as they should. There are many ways you can prepare for yourself for performance reviews.

If you’ve been out of work for a while or you’re stuck in a job you hate, you may be wondering: How long should it take to find a new job? It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and frustrated as your job search drags on. At Empower Work, we can help you gain a new perspective. Here are a few questions to put yourself on the right track. 

Your employer let you go. Now what? Maybe you suspected it was coming. You’ve had a conflict with your boss, business has been slow, or your supervisor reduced your duties without explanation. Maybe your dismissal was sudden. like 900 people unexpectedly laid off in a Zoom call. You might feel like you’ve taken a gut punch, or your most prominent emotion might be relief. No matter the circumstances, losing your job is tough, especially if you need to jump into your next job search immediately. But you can land on your feet after a job loss.

Whether you’ve picked up a summer gig or have a full-time role, starting your first job can be a big transition. Being in the workplace can feel like a steep learning curve: the expectations are different, the schedule is different, and the way you’re evaluated is different too. Regardless of the role or industry, starting your first job brings a new set of challenges and opportunities. It also brings new ways to grow and learn that will serve you for many years to come.

You’re facing a dilemma–you want to talk about it, and you need an outside point of view, or you just aren’t sure who to talk to about it. That’s what Empower Work is for. Our trained volunteer peer counselors support people in their toughest moments at work. We’re here to listen, help you get perspective, and help you find the next steps that feel right for you. If you’re struggling with a work issue, you can text us on our free, confidential text line at 510-674-1414.

When people contact the Empower Work text line, often they’re looking for a change: a better relationship with a boss or coworker, a promotion or raise, a different job, or a whole new career. It might reassure you to know that there are stages of change. What feels like being stuck might be a necessary step in the process. Our volunteer peer counselors can support you every step of the way.

Going through struggles at work is hard enough. And it becomes even more complicated when you feel like you have no one to talk to. That’s why Empower Work exists – to support those who are feeling stuck. Our peer counselors are trained to listen, help you come up with solutions, and support you in taking your next steps. Reaching out about work issues can improve your mental health, productivity, and work environment.

If you’re an LGBTQ+ person in the workforce, you know that unfortunately, you can’t take for granted that your gender identity or sexual orientation will be accepted at work. And if you’re considering switching to a new job, you may wonder how you’ll be treated in the new environment. You may find yourself asking: Is this organization a good fit? Will I be accepted as my full self? How can I possibly know before accepting the offer? At Empower Work, we regularly support people going through work transitions and asking these big questions. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re an LGBTQ+ worker evaluating a potential new job.

Barbara Saunders, an Empower Work staff member, shares her positive work experience waiting tables and shines a light on how a caring employer can make a difference in your mental health. She illustrates how a sad work event turned into reflections about the workplace and a valuable lesson: We all deserve to work in a place where we feel supported even in very difficult times.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 marks Equal Pay Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the gender pay gap that persists in the United States. Women, on average, earn just 83 cents for every dollar earned by men—and though this differs based on race, location, and industry, the trend has significant implications. On this Equal Pay Day, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to learn more about the history and present of the gender wage gap in this country, and what you can do in your own workplace to help address it.

Last year, Empower Work made a huge difference in the lives of workers across the US. Our impact wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteer peer counselors. We supported 30,000 workers through our text line and online resources. We couldn’t be more proud of the difference we’ve made in workers’ lives. We support people’s emotional and economic well-being, help people take the actions that feel right for them, support people through online resources, and systemically improve workplace well-being.

As Black History Month comes to a close, we recognize that just as the Black experience is a crucial part of American history, it is also a crucial part of the American present—including at work. But what if your workplace doesn't see it that way? What if you’re in an environment that recognizes Black History Month with an event or press release, but does nothing to address systemic inequities or support its Black employees through the rest of the year? Here are a few things to consider.

Black History Month is an important time to celebrate the achievements and triumphs of the Black community. This year’s focus for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness which calls for workplaces to respect and prioritize the health and safety of Black employees. Workplace health and safety conditions have been an issue that the Black community has fought for since long before our time. Among these activists were the unsung Black women who fought for Labor Rights - women like Coretta Scott King, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Lucy Parsons, Sylvia Woods, and Dora Lee Jones. Although workplace equity still has a long way to go, we have a movement and a legacy to be inspired by, thanks to the Black women activists who paved the way.

February is Black History Month: a time to recognize the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities of Black Americans throughout the history—and present—of this country. This year’s focus, Black Health and Wellness, recognizes the long legacy of Black medical practitioners, scholars, and healthcare providers. It also uplifts the myriad ways in which Black communities have fostered health and wellness outside of traditional medical systems—from mutual aid and community clinics to medical and nursing schools. In the workplace, prioritizing Black health and wellness is more important than ever. Here’s what you can do to make this a priority this year and every year.

Deciding to quit a job can bring up a lot of emotions—you may be excited about a new opportunity, relieved to get out of a stressful work environment, or feeling guilty for leaving your manager or team in a tough spot. Here are some of the most common concerns we hear people struggling with when they’ve decided to quit a job, and tips for dealing with them.

“Should I stay or should I go?” At Empower Work, we hear from people every day who are grappling with whether to quit their job or try to make it work. Maybe you like your job but hate your boss, or love your boss but hate your job. Maybe you’re in a toxic work environment, struggling with burnout, or asking yourself how much more you can take. Maybe you’re just ready for something new. Whatever your situation, you’re the only one who can make the decision for yourself. As you’re weighing your options, here are some important questions to consider.