I work with a lot of people who are related on the job – brothers, sisters, children, parents, and cousins. I’ve realized it’s important not to share any of my personal issues or grievances about anyone on the job because everyone is connected in some way.
Thus, there is wisdom in learning to exercise discretion when sharing personal information or grievances in a workplace where many people are related, as interconnected relationships can complicate matters and potentially lead to misunderstandings or conflicts.
Here are some reasons why it’s important to be cautious about sharing personal issues at work:
- Potential for Misinterpretation: Personal information shared with one individual may inadvertently reach others through familial connections, leading to misinterpretation or gossip.
- Confidentiality Concerns: Sharing personal issues with someone who is related to other coworkers may compromise confidentiality, as information could inadvertently be disclosed to unintended parties.
- Risk of Bias or Favoritism: Disclosing personal grievances or issues about one individual to someone who is related to them may create biases or perceptions that impact work dynamics or decision-making processes.
- Maintaining Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor and focusing on work-related matters can help avoid unnecessary conflicts or tensions that may arise from personal disclosures.
- Preserving Relationships: Being mindful of the interconnectedness of coworkers can help preserve positive working relationships and avoid inadvertently straining familial connections or dynamics.
In workplaces where many people are related, it’s important to prioritize professionalism, discretion, and respectful communication to foster a positive and harmonious work environment. If you need to address a personal or work-related issue, consider speaking directly with the individual involved or seeking guidance from a supervisor or HR representative to ensure confidentiality and appropriate resolution.
A Page From My Life
One of the managers I work with doesn’t like me, and I feel this way based on this manager’s behaviors towards me. There’s a lot of condescension against me by this manager for whatever reason, and the way this manager treats me compared to the way they treat other employees consistently makes me feel undervalued and overworked in a way that makes me feel disconnected from others.
In my perspective, this manager appears to consistently mistreat people like me who are neurodivergent while consistently showing more favoritism to neurotypicals. Despite what I feel I’ve observed and experienced, there’s really no proof that I can explain to anyone else. I’ve actually tried to get a viewpoint from one coworker, but they didn’t understand me and even seemed to laugh it off.
When I thought about sharing this same thought with another coworker, I was met with a shocking discovery. This other coworker just happened to be the mother of this manager. This coworker went on to explain that they also have another child that works in a different department. Additionally, this mother then went into a detailed discussion of family trees which consisted of other people on this job who are related and connected in some way, and I quickly began to understand why the workplace dynamics of toxicity might be the way they are now.
For the most part, I quickly came to understand that any grievances or issues that I have with anyone in this workplace cannot be shared with anyone. Not only could I easily offend others with whom I share my information, but I could also jeopardize my standing on the job. Information travels fast, and that information could quickly become fodder for gossip. No one can be trusted to keep my confidence. So, it’s pointless to share.
No matter what my situation, family members within the workplace will usually always stand with their family members, even when a family member is in the wrong. The best thing I can do for myself is to document my experiences. At the same time, this situation has given me enough red flags about workplace dynamics to understand why some toxicity might continue to grow within the environment.
Nevertheless, it’s always wisdom to exercise caution within the workplace when it comes to dealing with coworkers. You never know what might be when it comes to workplace connections.
My Voice Unchained 