How to Manage Your Divorce and Your Work Life

It’s easy to say, “keep your personal life separate from your work life,” but in reality, things are rarely quite that simple. With a big life change like divorce, sometimes the stress can carry over into other parts of your life, including your job.

Some recommendations to overcome these obstacles in the workplace are as follows:

• Scheduling matters. Don’t spread yourself too thin and allow your activities regarding your ongoing divorce to bleed into your time in the office. Setting aside specific times of the day to handle divorce work comes in handy and if the option is available, you may even consider taking a mental health day off from work. After all, if you’re distracted on the job, your work quality suffers.
• Communicate with your lawyers. If you are traveling for work or unable to make a certain appearance with your lawyer, it’s imperative to let him or her know beforehand. When selecting a lawyer, it’s a good idea to pick someone within reasonable traveling distance, especially if you’re on a tight schedule. It’s a simple fix but it can make all the difference.
• Keep a stress ball in the office. Divorce can be stressful so don’t be afraid to take measures to minimize that strain. Stress balls or other stimulation objects like Silly Putty can be very good for releasing tension, allowing you a moment to gather your thoughts without taking it out on your coworkers.
• Keep boundaries. When at the office, don’t use your business email to conduct divorce communications. Not only could you be communicating private matters on an unprotected server, but a business email isn’t purely yours like a personal email is. In the end, you could be creating more problems than solving them, so it’s best to use your personal email.
• Tell someone. Don’t keep the news to yourself. HR representatives, key partners, and even your boss may want to be informed. Your company may need to provide new documentation for this life change and under high times of stress, it’s good to have someone understanding in your corner.

Divorce can be a challenging experience, especially for adults in the workplace. However, it’s not impossible to navigate the complexities of separation while maintaining a healthy work life. If you are a career-oriented adult seeking a divorce, a Maryland divorce attorney at Shah & Kishore can help. We understand how stressful these situations can be and we aim to ease tensions through facilitating an amicable separation.