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.

Yoselin reached out to Empower Work because she was conflicted about a big career decision. She was offered a position at an organization she wanted to work at, but it was for a role that she had already done and outgrown. Yoselin was conflicted on whether to accept the position or to take on a new challenge.

National Coming Out Day is a day focused on celebrating queer identity and raising awareness for the continued struggle for acceptance and equal rights for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and/or asexual (LGBTQ+). Choosing to come out to close friends or loved ones can be an important and affirming milestone, yet choosing to come out at work can feel more complicated for many people. If National Coming Out Day leaves you questioning whether you’ll be able to be your full self at work, Empower Work is here to support you.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our volunteers at Empower Work have been supporting workers who reach out with worries of health & safety, the stress of going back to in-office environments, and existing work challenges. We have listed the top 3 ways that our peer counselors have supported workers during COVID-19.

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.

Being taken advantage of at work can have real financial, emotional, and professional consequences. This phenomenon is all too common: one survey found that nearly 80% of respondents have felt taken advantage of at work at some point. Whether subtle, like a lack of respect or recognition, or more overt, like discrimination or wage theft, there are steps you can take in response—today.

A year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have been preparing for schools and workplaces to reopen this fall. However, with the rise of the Delta variant, many employers are now reevaluating their reopening plans, and many workers are struggling with how to respond to choices their employers are making with regards to workplace COVID safety—especially if they don’t feel safe. Whether you’re an employer or an employee, here are a few tips to navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID safety at work.

If you’re feeling burned out at work, you’re not alone. A recent poll found that 95% of workers are thinking about finding a new job—and a third of respondents cited burnout as the reason why. Given the unprecedented ongoing stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic recession, against the recent backdrop of racial violence and political turmoil in this country, these high rates of burnout are no surprise. Here’s what you can do.

Mental health struggles can affect everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, industry, or income bracket. If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color (BIPOC), you are likely all too aware that racism and racial trauma can add an additional layer of complexity to mental health struggles. If you’re looking for ways to prioritize your own mental health at work, or wondering what you can do to support BIPOC coworkers or employees, here are a few places to start.

Creating an inclusive environment at work requires far more than words. Regardless of your personal identity or professional position at work, there are tangible actions you can take to contribute to a more inclusive workplace—starting today.

Workforce diversity will not change the organization’s bottom line unless employees feel included—and creating an inclusive environment at work is a shared responsibility. By staying humble, staying curious, and staying engaged, you can learn new tools to help promote inclusion in your own workplace.

“There are many reasons to volunteer. Perhaps you want to give back to the community, had a positive experience with Empower Work, or are interested in this field of work. Maybe you are interested in the organization, want to find a good way to use your time, or want to develop yourself in a certain area. I think these are all valid reasons to volunteer. If you are interested, I would say go for it! It is worth it. I believe this is a noble way to impact someone’s life, as well as develop yourself in new ways.”

Language is constantly evolving, especially language related to identity. If you find yourself struggling with new terminology, like the term BIPOC, here’s what you need to know—and why language matters in the workplace.