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Original poster

Did something embarrassing at work

35 replies

helpmeohgod · 16/09/2023 21:22

I’ve had a lot going on my personal life, I won’t bore everyone with it all but things have been really, really tough recently. I’ve focused on work and wouldn’t let it distract me but I had a meeting with my boss and basically broke down and admitted things have been bad and explained it all. She was absolutely lovely and was genuinely upset for me with what I had told her, but I feel so stupid now for doing that. I basically cried and trauma dumped everything on her and it was incredibly unprofessional and I really regret it. It all just seemed to come spilling out when she asked what was wrong. That was a few weeks ago and I still feel so embarrassed by it because I should have kept my problems separate from work etc

i don’t really know what I’m asking, but has anyone got any advice? I feel so mortified and annoyed at myself. My boss was lovely about it and we haven’t talked about it since thankfully but I regret dumping it all on her and mixing personal and work and I feel so embarrassed for basically crying and breaking down and I’m really struggling with his annoyed at myself I am

OP posts:
PaintBySticker · 16/09/2023 21:36

I’ve cried to my manager and I’ve had people cry to me. It’s ok xx

MartinChuzzlewit · 16/09/2023 21:34

Ah OP, you broke down - you just happened to break down to someone who was lovely and understanding. I’d call that a win! Don’t be embarrassed. I always think it’s better when work is aware you’re struggling to outside influences, not just work influences

Pepperama · 16/09/2023 21:33

As a manager it’s good if I know what’s going on and I never thought it was unprofessional. People are human not robots. Managers too. The only thing that caused problems - once - is that an employee’s embarrassment created a really weird atmosphere and they were obviously uncomfortable. What’s helpful is if you can tell manager what to do with the info. Do you want them to take action in any way - make adjustments etc - or was it just so they know what’s up

mynameiscalypso · 16/09/2023 21:31

I did this to my ex-boss. He was really good about me (and at a later point did exactly the same to me). This was over 5 years ago now and although we both work in other companies now, we are still in touch and he's very much a mentor to me.

Moltenpink · 16/09/2023 21:28

You can’t always keep things separate, you haven’t done anything to be embarrassed about. It’s good that your boss knows what the situation is, you are human and life isn’t perfect

Lavender14 · 16/09/2023 21:27

As a manager I would WANT the employees to come to me and tell me what's going on before it becomes an issue with their work. I think that shows good personal accountability and responsibility. You've nothing to be embarrassed by. You did the right thing and now you can make a plan together to help you manage in work and if you're finding things harder at least you've already informed her so she can support you and will understand. Yes it's good to keep things separate but you're only human at the end of the day and EVERYONE has a limit with their ability to do that.

Daffodil63 · 16/09/2023 21:27

Bless you-you are human. It happens, and sometimes it's better that the boss knows as she may be more understanding. I'm sure her life isn't perfect either and most likely had a moment like this at some point in her career. For all we know she could be thinking that you are doing marvellously considering the circumstances. Don't worry until you have something to worry about. Best of luck OP

goldlamps · 16/09/2023 21:27

Hope you’re feeling better. You did the right thing by telling her and she sounds lovely.

DustyLee123 · 16/09/2023 21:26

Don’t worry about it, I’ve cried to my manager too. It all gets forgotten. Don’t waste another day thinking about it, because she won’t be.

SiblingFights · 16/09/2023 21:25

I'm sorry you are having such a shit time. As a manager she is responsible for your wellbeing at work so nothing wrong with offloading to her Flowers

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