Workplace issues & unemployment

Work can be a big part of life and identity, so challenges in that realm can have a significant impact on your mental health. This guide will help you identify common issues and learn ways to help yourself and others manage them.

Man wearing headphones and tilting his head up

What is it?

Workplace issues—problems related to tasks and overall interactions at your job—are pretty common. We all encounter occasional pressure and stressful moments—it is called work for a reason, after all. But when the stressors become constant, they can affect how you’re doing at work and may even trigger a stress response that leads to bigger health or relationship issues. Research for the Surgeon General's report on workplace health found that 84% of survey respondents said their workplace conditions had contributed to at least one challenge they were dealing with related to their mental health. For some people, this may trigger burnout.

Unemployment and job loss are other types of work-related issues that can have a significant effect on your health and life. It may feel like you’ve lost stability and a sense of your identity, which may trigger feelings of grief and loss. Those feelings, combined with the need to find work to support you and your loved ones, can be difficult and scary.

But there is good news. More people—including employers—are realizing how important workplace well-being is following our collective experience of pandemic stressors, and are exploring ways to support it. As a result, there are many steps you can take to keep any work issues you encounter in check, and a number of resources available to help you manage and navigate the workplace and unemployment.

What's causing it?

There are many different types of stressors that cause issues in the workplace and they can vary by person and by workplace.

Some workplace issues are related to the nature of the work and can leave you feeling overwhelmed, unappreciated, or disconnected. These include:

Excessive, overwhelming workload
Uninteresting or unchallenging tasks
Strict, long or unpredictable schedules
Lack of input on decisions or lack of control
Lack of meaning or purpose

Other issues could be related to workplace dynamics and can leave you feeling unsupported, unequipped to do the work you need to do, or even unsafe. These include:

Low pay, limited growth or stability concerns
Lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities
Difficult relationships with managers or coworkers
Lack of work-life balance
Not enough tools or training
Lack of value, appreciation or support by supervisors
Discrimination, inequality and disrespect
Health, wellness and safety issues
Workplace environment or commute

Though you might feel undervalued, stuck or unhappy to the point you’d like to resign or find a new job, there are many reasons why that may feel like a daunting or unrealistic option—your financial situation, family responsibilities, available time and the state of the job market are just a few factors. Your situation can feel even more difficult if you feel pressure to push through, link your identity with work and achievement, have negative feelings toward yourself or have reached the point of intense burnout.

Since time off isn’t always possible, you may need to find ways to cope with stressors on the job. It’s important to recognize what workplace issues exist for you and how they’re affecting your mental health so that you can take the steps to refresh your outlook on work and how it fits into your life.

How should I deal with it?

Given the pressure to be high-performing, it might be hard to admit when something needs to change. Recognizing the extent to which a challenging work situation, losing a job or being unemployed is having on you is the first and necessary step.

If you’re employed, start by exploring what support your employer may offer by talking to a manager, union rep, or human resources; taking advantage of an employee assistance program (EAP) if your workplace has one; or taking some time off if you can (check with your workplace to understand what paid leave options they may have).

If you’re unemployed, you can take small steps to ensure your basic needs are met in this moment of transition. Explore filing for unemployment if you haven’t already. It’s also worth looking into getting health insurance (check out healthcare.gov), especially if your mental health is worsened by job loss. If you find yourself with extra time, consider using some of it to do things you enjoy like seeing friends, revisiting a hobby or going on longer walks.

Try to recognize the value you can bring to a workplace that treats you with the respect you deserve. Taking care of yourself—mind, body and soul—can help you celebrate your value and land you a better work-life balance.

Things to try

Acknowledge and avoid negative self-talk

Create an end-of-work day habit
Picture yourself at the top of your game
Reward your achievements

More Things To Try

How to help a loved one

If a loved one is dealing with issues at work or has lost their job, they may be reluctant to share what’s going on. If they seem overwhelmed, more anxious than usual, or short with others, these behavior changes can be a clue that they may be struggling.

There are many ways to show your support and offer help:

Support your coworkers and those you supervise. Build connections by asking coworkers how they’re doing and by treating everyone with respect. If you manage others, make time for regular check-ins, keep up on wellness resources and team morale, and try to model good balance.
Encourage healthy habits. Eating well, exercising, practicing mindfulness and relaxation, and getting enough sleep are some of the best ways to deal with workplace stress. Do your best to support your loved one in these habits. You may even consider doing self-care activities together.
Check in and be available. Check in to ask your loved one if they’re OK. If they open up, listen and respond with empathy. If they don’t, don’t force it—but let them know you’re there for them. Be sure to follow up as opposed to checking in just once.
Help identify the problem. Through observation and talking through it, you may be able to help your loved one realize that work is affecting them. Encourage them to go deeper to identify which aspects of work are affecting them most. This might help them to identify stress triggers so that they can start to understand how to manage them.
Support them in getting help. If your loved one needs help beyond what they can control on their own or what friends and family can offer, help them look into other forms of support such as finding a therapist, requesting time off from work, or applying for unemployment or other programs.

What can I do now?

If you’re dealing with work issues or unemployment, it may be difficult to imagine work becoming more satisfying than stressful. But by becoming aware of your stressors and how to cope with them, being kind to yourself, and taking steps to improve your situation with the support of others, you can start to see positive change.