How To Deal With An Emotional Employee

When an individual is unable to regulate their emotions at work—whether because of problems at home or disagreement at work—it may cause havoc and frequently leads to overreactions all around.

So, as the employer, how do you handle a sensitive individual at work? The issue won't go away on its own if you choose to ignore it because the employee will be more preoccupied with that issue than with their task. Additionally, if it spreads to other workers, the productivity of the entire office may suffer.

Here are some suggestions for dealing with an upset employee and reestablishing the workplace's harmony:

Empathize

In the workplace, employees who are in distress are frequently met with disrespect, indifference, and impatience. Managers frequently minimize or mock an employee's problem or urge them to "deal with it."

Most people think crying is unprofessional, yet we tend to forget that being human, sometimes our emotions might even get the better of us.

Yes, uncontrollable emotions can affect anyone. None of these reactions do anything to aid the employee in need; instead, they only make their situation worse. Hence, use emotional outbursts as chances to talk to, understand, and be compassionate toward a hurting employee.

It is not necessary to have a lengthy talk; perhaps a few minutes may be sufficient. Discovering the issue and demonstrating empathy can improve your relationship with the employee.

Give space

Especially when they are experiencing intense emotions or discomfort, giving employees the time and space to process what is happening at their own pace can often be the most effective method to manage and assist them. This can be done by giving them a break throughout the workday, a day or week off, or by reducing their task temporarily.

Read emotional cues

Be mindful of the moods and emotions of your staff. You may frequently detect emotional cues that your crew is emitting at work if you pay close attention. These could include facial expressions, tone of speech, and body language. Pay close attention so you can assess the performance of your staff.

Determine the trigger

There's a reason for an emotional employee's reaction. Look at the factors that are causing them to act in this way. What is it that they are going through? What is making them behave this way?

Avoid assuming anything about their behavior, including their motivation. As an alternative, pay close attention to what the employee says. You can control an emotional employee by giving them a sense of respect and listening to them.

Fix your tone

Poor vocabulary and tone choices during communication are among the most frequent causes of emotional distress and issues in organizations. Be it over the phone, in person, or in an email thread, you should always consider your message and tone before communicating it.

Think about all the many emotions that it might elicit in those who will be receiving it. Keeping this in mind, one of the most proactive things you can do to manage an emotional employee is to make an effort to always rephrase your messages and tones in a positive manner.

Stay in touch

Be sure to maintain an emotional connection with your staff. Ask them questions to get a sense of how they are feeling throughout meetings so you may learn what makes them annoyed, unhappy, or furious.

In the workplace, exhort workers to be kind and considerate to one another. In the event of a problem, you should also make sure to always check in to see how they are doing.

Turn problems into opportunities

Understanding the issue and turning it into a chance for improvement are the next steps in managing an emotional employee.

Often, the individual who is reacting to an emotional circumstance cannot remedy the problem that it has generated. You can assist them in finding a solution, secure the support they may require, or end the dispute that may be the root of the issue.

Additionally, you can direct them to resources where they can receive the support they require to get past their emotional challenges, such as coaching, conflict resolution/communication skills training, and employee assistance programs.

Final Thoughts

It may seem difficult to manage an emotional person in the workplace, but the tips above can help you approach the problem with greater awareness, minimizing negative consequences while maximizing potential for growth and improvement.