I manage someone who is very nice and used to be capable. She had a very difficult and traumatic divorce two years ago under truly horrible circumstances and she has struggled ever since. Professionally it has been difficult and her work is patchy and I am now giving feedback each and every time and she is genuinely doing her best to improve and return to her previous standards.
However, my main issue is her demeanour which is depressed. I don’t think there’s anything else I can do that hasn’t already been actioned but I’m finding being around her full time to be really taking its toll. I also don’t think it is her fault but it is like working with a different person because she is a different person.
She has had occupational health support, work encouraged and has paid for counselling which she chose to discontinue as she felt it was no longer useful so I do feel at a dead end re professional support I can offer. Also, she is present and i do believe she does her best, it’s just that her best is not what it once was.
Has anyone else experienced this at work? How did you navigate it? I am now thinking of leaving just to have a fresh start myself and be around more positive energy. Is that what people do?