Earlier this week I met up with a friend. She’s been a tremendous supporter of my books and writing, but that had little to do with our conversation this time. Her face, posture and spirit answered my question before I asked: how was her new job? She gave off entirely different vibes than what I remembered from the last time I saw her. (I now understand what friends had tried to express to me following a job change.) Yes, she left a toxic work situation and entered a work arrangement that provides far more than a paycheck. She’s feeling respected and valued: her coworkers and supervisor are kind, and offer clarity about work expectations. So many things she didn’t find before.

Mostly I don’t blog about work-related topics here; yet sometimes such stories shout out to me and invade my writing spirit. And I’ve said it before. Moments like this demonstrate how work radiates into most other parts of our lives, our relationships and connection to community. When you get right down to it, some of it is so simple. And although I’ve worked in research before, there’s much that is common sense. About what we need as humans to feel valued, listened to, respected. No, it isn’t difficult to understand yet even so, many folks are devalued many minutes of their work day, often triggered or worsened by differences in power and hierarchy.

Often in discussions about workplace safety, health and well-being, we talk about the importance of the supervisor in our job satisfaction. I’ve asked people in classes I’ve taught if they ever left a job because of one. I remember one class in particular, when most hands went up. I too have my memories of particularly toxic supervisors in my past. The first was shortly after graduate school, during my first professional job. What I remember most today is the stress of not fully understanding my workload and job duties, and fears I would be berated for something I didn’t know I was responsible for. Bigger than that was the unpredictability of my supervisor’s emotions on any given day. I remember wondering, so early in my profession, if this career was right for me.

I appreciate how in more progressive organizations today, we’re not accepting that a supervisor is just the way they are and we can take it or leave it. Unfortunately, some of our less proactive organizations wait for a ‘not so great supervisor’ to retire or leave, even though it can lead to losing top talent, such as the example of my good friend. Too, we all face challenging times in our lives, including those related to grief and loss. Recently, my daughter and I were talking about how she’s finally understanding that happiness is not an emotion we feel consistently through our lives, and yet need to accept and be ready for those other emotions of sadness and grief that correspond to events along life’s journey. A good supervisor will help us in all those moments too. And quickly, I add: good supervisors can’t fully make up for bad work like excessive hours with shift rotations or dangerous work without safety provisions.

Yes, occasionally this blog meanders into our work-life connections. From First Breath to Last too includes at least a chapter related to midlife work transitions and Mom’s experience as a burned out teacher. Yes, it did push her onward to question her choices and find something that was, in the end, even more fulfilling, even if the “getting there” was tough. The good thing about difficulty and losses, although perhaps not when we’re in the midst of it, is we learn about ourselves, our needs and wants. While I feel sad and overwhelmed some days over the terrible work conditions so many have all over the world, in this moment I celebrate my friend’s story. And yes, it can give hope to others. Even when it’s a rough road.

As I look back at the blogs I’ve written over the last seven years, I’ve posted many related to my work experiences and beliefs. Check them out. And I hope you can find moments to enjoy those things that are most important to you during the next week. And beyond.

Other blogs about work

Portland shipyards, trades and women
Fusing work, health, writing and community
Looking back, planning forward: a recap
Dear Dad, I have news
Loneliness, friends and social support
A circle of caregiving
Preserving Old Oregon: A tribute to John Klatt
Industrial hygiene: from science to the art of winging it
Masks and quarantine: Spanish Flu to COVID-19
From Zidell to Illahee: put these bunks to bed
Hair and Formaldehyde, power and health
Willamette Falls Locks reimagined today
Columbia River Bar Pilots: A job like no other
Worker safety, politics, the past