A recent American Time Use Survey showed that the average American spends more waking hours on work and work-related activities than anything else – so it's no wonder that work relationships have such a strong influence on your health and happiness. Our Employee Assistance Program is committed to helping you build positive, healthy work relationships. Call us at 800-236-3231 for additional support.

Cultivate empathy

Everyone approaches life and work differently. While it may be a challenge for some of us to work with people who don’t think or behave in the same ways that we do, it can benefit everyone if we’re willing to:

• Respect coworkers’ right to their own opinions, feelings, and values – no matter how much you may disagree with them.
• Make time to talk to colleagues on a casual basis. Say “Good morning!” Ask how their day is going. Congratulate them on recent achievements and wins.
• Show your appreciation for the role others play in your work. Credit people for helping you or for taking on responsibilities that help the work (and the team) succeed.
• Be considerate of people’s time and priorities. Respect their working styles. Listen to their input, and be clear and courteous when collaborating or delegating work.
• Think – and speak – positively. While venting frustrations can be a way to bond with coworkers, strive to be the kind of person at work whom you would want to work with.

Set realistic expectations

Life on the job won’t always be perfect, but that doesn’t have to derail your happiness at work. If you’re dealing with difficult people, stressful situations, or unrealistic expectations, remember to:

• Take responsibility for what you can control – and don’t obsess over what you can’t. Always do your job to the best of your abilities, be reliable, and take the initiative to problem-solve when you can.
• Be willing to admit your mistakes. Everyone makes them, and your colleagues understand that everyone makes them. Admitting when you’re wrong fosters better relationships and lessens the burden of perfectionism.
• Invest in other parts of your life. Stay involved in hobbies, interests, and activities you enjoy outside of work. Focus on your family or friends. Make time for yourself. You’ll be able to return to work refreshed and ready to take on new challenges.

Prioritize positive environments

The websites below offer more resources and guidance for helping improve the health of the work environment.

• The LinkedIn Official Blog (blog.linkedin.com) provides research, thought pieces, and reports on workplace trends, career growth, and building better work environments.
• Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com) offers a full section dedicated to workplace psychology – and ways to build happier, healthier, more productive workplaces.