Have you cried at work?

Question

I work in a very small office, basically only 3-4 people. I work hard and do a lot of travel, but due to lack of written policies etc, mistakes are sometimes made regarding logging hours etc. This sometimes leads to hostile confrontations between me and my employer and I have twice actually burst into tears during such confrontations (oddly enough, today was once, and exactly one year ago was the last time).

Most of the time I am pretty stoic, but have cried infrequently during situations where I am stunned by being unexpectedly dumped, being attacked by friendly forces in the military, or being attacked by a boss I was doing a good job for. I chalk it down to being unable to handle the sudden change between what I expect or deserve and what is actually happening.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing? Also importantly, does anyone have advice for how to avoid breaking down so embarassingly?

Answer 1

yes I have. It's very embarrassing but it happens when I'm cornered and maybe I did make a mistake. I feel like a huge baby but can't help it. Usually I try to get to the bathroom and bawl but there has been a couple of time when I can't make it there and just kind of burst out crying. Don't feel bad, your just human and have feelings. Just make sure you get your eight hours sleep and take care of yourself.

Answer 2

I've cried many times at work. I threw a calculator at someone once, then cried. It was usually because something crappy happened and I was stuck at work and I cried because I felt stressed that I couldn't have a little bit of time alone to calm down. It's a feeling of being trapped in a place you don't want to be when you're upset. That can make you cry much easier. Getting 'yelled at' for doing something wrong always made me cry because I didn't know how to respond any other way. It just made me feel like an idiot, so I cried.

I don't know of any foolproof coping mechanisms unless you are able to leave the office and take a quick walk outside to get yourself together. I used to storm out and walk around the block. It always helped somewhat but I worked in a place with very few 'rules'. Also, I should mention that I have anger/depression/emotional problems which I am now on medication for. Back then, I wasn't taking anything so I had way less control over my emotions.

Answer 3

I've never cried at work, but I've cried at times that I really didn't want to, so I can relate.

Being shocked by something sudden like that can be hard for sure, but you're best off if you learn how to cope with it. The next time you feel that emotional switch go off inside yourself, recognize it. Pause and count to three in your head before you let yourself respond, even an internal response like thinking "wow, that's so mean" or something. That might sound really silly, but it has helped me a lot. A little pause like that can help you regain your composure so that you can stay collected during the situation, and then let yourself relax when you're in a more appropriate environment for expressing your emotions (ie at home that evening, or even in the bathroom during your break). The whole idea of "stimulus - pause - response" can help a person develop self control, whether it's an issue of crying or speaking too quickly or whatever.

Also, if you're really upset and concerned with making it through the day, get yourself outside or even just to a window. Crazy as it seems, simply looking outside at the sky or trees or something in nature calms a person in any situation.

Keep in mind that your healthiest option is not to supress your emotions, but just to be in control of yourself enough to wait to express them in the appropriate environment. If you supress your feelings on a regular basis it will come back to bite you.

Anyway, those two things have helped me a lot... hope they help you too! Best of luck!

Answer 4

When I get upset or angry I cry. It has upset me my whole life. Now I sometimes cry at work and been written up as being "unprofessional". I have tried to not do so but it makes it worse. Mine also seems to be on unexpected attacks. It is usually when I think things are going well and get sideswiped and told I am totally off base. Don't have an answer but know you are not alone.

Answer 5

It is a hard thing to control if you are prone to do it.I learned to just suppress that emotion after many episodes I just kind of push it down inside not healthy (I learned to let it out at other times and in other ways not all of them good.)I am assuming you are male and this is quite embarrassing for us. I also came to realize that my response was do to Frustration and not really a weakness as I also had a temper and that reaction is how I controlled the temper( a violent one on occasions)

Answer 6

I've never actually cried at work but I have gotten very angry, and when this happens I usually just go for a walk. I would never let someone see me get that emotional, most especially in the work place. Remember the old adage - "never let em' see you sweat!".

It's only a job (you're not curing cancer). :-)