The Library
Practical guideTraumaStarting over1 minute read
Trauma and the work week
Getting through work when your head is somewhere else.
Work does not stop because something happened to you. For some people it is a relief. For others it is the hardest part of the day.
Common difficulties
- Concentrating and remembering things
- Feeling tense around certain people or in certain situations
- Being short with colleagues
- Exhaustion from poor sleep
Practical steps
- Break tasks into small pieces and write them down
- Take short breaks outside if you can
- Have a plan for leaving a meeting if you need to
- Find one person at work who knows something is going on, without needing details
What to tell your employer
You do not have to say what happened. You can say you are dealing with a health matter, or a personal matter, and need some flexibility for a while. Many workplaces have support you can use privately.
If work itself is where it happened, or if being there is not safe, your wellbeing comes first. Get advice about your options from a service in your country, or a trade union if you have one.
