When you are going through a divorce it can feel like your entire world is at a stand still as you try to cope with the emotions and stress.
However, despite your personal crisis, the rest of the world is continuing as normal and you still need to be a part of it in order to secure your future. It is vital that you do not let your divorce also cost you your job if you are to cope financially on one income after dividing your assets with your ex.
Getting up and going to work may seem like an epic task some mornings when you are emotionally drained and then you have to worry about your performance during the working day.
For most people the best thing that you can do is to tell your line managers as soon as possible about your situation and gauge how much support they are likely to offer. The level of support will depend on your company culture and your own indispensability.
In an intensely high pressured environment you may not want to say anything as alerting managers that you may be under-performing could mean you are under extra scrutiny. However, for most companies they will understand that you are only human and will cut you some slack during a difficult time.
Many employers will be concerned about your long term plans and if you will need any time off for meetings with your divorce lawyers, mediation sessions or family law court sessions. Therefore, when you first broach the subject with your managers it is important that you go in armed with all relevant information.
Assure your managers that you have new, secure living arrangements and give them a schedule of when you are likely to miss any work hours along with a plan of whether you are going to make them up or take them as annual leave. These basic steps will put a positive spin on any negatives.
Some people find that going to work is an escape from an unstable home life and their performance is not affected. However, if you find yourself snapping at colleagues or forgetting meetings, then it may be worth taking a couple of days off, so you don’t damage work relationships or give anyone who is snapping at your heels the impression that your job may become available if they apply a bit more pressure.
At work make an extra effort to stay calm and leave any situation in which you find yourself becoming overly emotional. You will really thank yourself for maintaining a stable job a few months down the line.