It happens sometimes, it’s just not your day and you need to curl up under your desk and cry. But do you? Is it okay to cry at work? Does it mean you hate your job? Where do you go? Is there someone you can talk to?

If you’ve cried at work, you don’t need to feel alone; a study reported that 8 in 10 people have reported crying at work at some point. 

So, how do you handle it?

You’ll probably want to make the session as private as possible. Say a bathroom stall, empty conference room, or even your car. 

If you tear up at a one-on-one meeting with your boss, I’m sure they understand that you are human and have emotions. Although, if this happens often, they may worry about your ability to take feedback or handle the demands of you job. 

You’ve shed your tears. Now what?

Take the time to gather yourself and understand the reason you are upset. Is your boss actually upset with you, or are they trying to give you genuine feedback because they value your work?

Maybe you’re tearing up because you care deeply about the work you’re doing, that’s okay too. It’s normal to feel upset towards something you’ve worked hard on and have a strong connection to.

What is the context of your crying session? Is it happening very often or in a very public place? If so, it’s time to take a step back. If it happens once and awhile, congrats, you’re human!

Moral of the story: it’s okay to cry at work, and it happens to more people than you may think. The key is to handle it in a professional way and take the time to understand the reasoning behind the water-works. 

You know what can help? Speaking to young professionals in a similar field as you. You know how you can do that? By joining Ad 2 Madison! Look over our Become a Member page for info about our networking community!