Workplace Wellness, Your Career, and Your Divorce


In this podcast episode of A Fresh Story, host Olivia Howell and I discuss the intersection of divorce and the workplace. We explore the idea of creating programs for corporate locations to address divorce-related challenges faced by employees. The conversation highlights the importance of open communication and negotiation with employers regarding changes in work schedules or locations due to divorce. I provide advice on approaching HR, utilizing employee assistance programs, and seeking support from trusted colleagues during such transitions. The discussion emphasizes the need for authenticity and vulnerability in navigating these challenging situations within the professional realm.

Questions covered in this episode:

  • How can I balance the demands of my job with the emotional stress of going through a divorce?

  • How do I handle disclosing my divorce to my employer or coworkers?

  • Can I negotiate changes to my work schedule or location to accommodate new family arrangements?

  • What if I need to find a new job during my divorce process? How can I update my resume?

  • How can a career coach help me through my divorce process?

Watch to my portion of the episode:

 
 

Video time stamps:

  • [00:00:00] Introduction and discussion about creating programs for corporate locations to address divorce-related challenges.

  • [00:01:00] Investor's interest in the relationship between divorce and work.

  • [00:03:00] Nikki's multi-pronged approach to dealing with divorce-related challenges at work.

  • [00:05:00] Importance of checking HR policies and benefits, including wellness stipends and therapy coverage.

  • [00:06:00] Discussion on Emergency Assistance Programs (EAPs).

  • [00:07:00] Advice on talking to someone at work about personal challenges.

  • [00:09:00] Nikki's coaching approach and the importance of setting goals and timelines.

  • [00:10:00] Handling negative responses and vulnerability hangovers.

  • [00:11:00] Recommendations on communicating with bosses about divorce.

  • [00:14:00] Coping with negative responses from managers.

  • [00:16:00] Seeking support from HR or colleagues if necessary.

Quotes:

  • "We give paternity leave and maternity leave and all these bereavement leave, but we don't allow for anything with divorce." - Olivia Howell

  • "There are ways that you can creatively approach that kind of benefits package, whether it be some version of a wellness stipend, or if there's some sort of element of your health insurance that covers therapy or covers some sort of mediation or some sort of just support for you as a person." - Nikki Innocent

  • "Understanding that there are going to be people that the subject of divorce will create a response in them that has nothing to do with you." - Nikki Innocent

  • "Laying the groundwork and then the co-collaborating, kind of inviting them in, which is a little tricky to do sometimes during divorce, but maybe beneficial in the long run when it's a workplace situation." - Olivia Howell

Listen to the whole episode:

 

Thanks for checking out this talk! I hope you found it insightful and it got your wheels turning. If you’re interested in diving deeper, here are a few options to explore: