Workplace bullying happens, and it's a serious issue. If you are a victim of workplace bullying or witness it, here are some tips to help you deal with it.

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.

If you’re fearing for your own safety—or the safety of your loved ones—amidst the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans, you know that fear can have a big impact on your sense of well-being. And if your workplace isn’t supportive, you may feel especially isolated. Your mental health matters. Empower Work is here to help.

Emilie, a volunteer at Empower Work, shares her story about her experience as a peer counselor and why she decided to volunteer. Emilie works in the media industry as a journalist and editor. Having been in difficult situations at work herself, Emilie wanted to learn the ways in which you can support people in similar situations.

If you’re one of the millions of people working the night shift, you know your work comes with hardships and frustrations, many of which can take a toll. If you’re looking for strategies to deal with the mental and physical challenges of your work, Empower Work is here to help—whether you’re a nurse, delivery driver, emergency medical responder, utility worker, warehouse associate, janitor, security guard, rideshare driver, or any other job on the night shift.

Empower Work staff member, Mackenzie, shares her story about how her boss at her first job affected her mental health. This story shines a light on how one comment or request from someone could change the trajectory of someone’s work life and well-being. One comment from Mackenzie’s boss threw her off guard and made her feel anxious, small, and self-conscious at work.