How much of home should you reveal at work?

By Jeff Lule

MANY people leave for work troubled and stressed because of problems at home. On several occasions, many have lost their jobs due to such family pressure, especially financial issues. A person is inclined to act unethically because they have no other choice.

One thinks that what they are doing is the only solution to solving the problems.

James Rubanganake, a lecturer of human resource at Makerere Business School, says family and work are very important but challenging because they both require serious attention. The issue is how to reconcile the two without one affecting the other.”

He says it is not wise to reveal so much about family issues to workmates but you can share certain issues like your children and birthday celebrations of family members or information about one who is sick. But if you are fighting with your spouse or if in-laws are cruel to your family, it is not wise to divulge such information.

Rubanganake recommends that it helps to divulge necessary information to a select number of workmates. For instance if you are not financially stable, talk to your boss or to the accountants.

Telling someone about issues that stress you at home could help relieve the pressure and stress. If the issue is not resolved, stress from home could affect your overall performance at work.
He says first, an employee needs to be open to his boss. Employers can devise means to help employees, especially when one is reliable and hard working.

For example where one may have separated with a spouse due to financial problems. The boss can intervene and give an employee advice and if necessary, grant one leave or days off to settle the problem.

It is also wise not to isolate yourself from the get together parties so that you can relax and share ideas with co-workers.

Rubanganake says workers need to form or join company associations which handle people’s issues or reach out to the human resource office for a solution.

Rubanganake says: “One must put into consideration the extent to which his home affairs can be shared with workmates, what kind of problems and to whom.”

He says confiding in a workmate depends on how confident you are that your family issues will not become the source of conversation at the workplace.

With such stress from home, one’s performance at work might take a down turn which might cost him or her the job.
He says: “There is need to have self-restraint when dealing with family issues in order to avoid messing up duties at work. Leave your problems at home when you go to work.”

He advises people to pray and rely in God and go for counselling.

Rubanganake says workers who have someone to talk to at work about issues at home are more successful in their work.

He says: “We have seen people doing crazy stuff because of stress, and they end up misusing their offices in the struggle to fulfill their family obligations. In the end they are fired and some imprisoned. Others commit suicide.”