Work and life are closely intertwined. When health, family or financial situations become more complicated, your workplace can either add pressure or provide vital support. For our final week looking at practical checklists for the New Year, we’re focusing on getting clear about what help is available through your employer, and how you might make use of it.
1. Spend ten minutes reviewing policies and benefits
Look at your employee handbook, intranet or benefits portal and make a quick note of:
*Carer’s leave, compassionate leave and sickness policies
*Flexible working options and how to request them
*Health, mental health or employee assistance programmes (EAPs)
*Any insurance or protection benefits linked to your employment
You don’t need to memorise the details – simply knowing what exists gives you more options when you need them.
2. Consider one conversation to have early
If you already know that this year may bring added pressure – for example, caring responsibilities, planned treatment, fertility, separation, or other life events – it can help to share a little context early with:
*Your line manager
*HR or People team
*A trusted senior colleague
This doesn’t mean disclosing more than you’re comfortable with. It might be as simple as:
“I’m likely to have some additional caring responsibilities this year, so at some point I may need to explore flexible working options. I wanted to mention it early so we can plan together.”
Early, thoughtful conversations often create more flexibility and understanding later.
3. Know who you would go to for help
Finally, ask yourself:
*If something difficult happened tomorrow, who at work would I talk to first?
*Outside of work, which two or three people could I lean on for practical or emotional support?
*Write their names down somewhere you’ll see them. In moments of stress, even deciding who to contact can feel like a big decision; having this list ready can help.
Look at your employee handbook, intranet or benefits portal and make a quick note of:
*Carer’s leave, compassionate leave and sickness policies
*Flexible working options and how to request them
*Health, mental health or employee assistance programmes (EAPs)
*Any insurance or protection benefits linked to your employment
You don’t need to memorise the details – simply knowing what exists gives you more options when you need them.
2. Consider one conversation to have early
If you already know that this year may bring added pressure – for example, caring responsibilities, planned treatment, fertility, separation, or other life events – it can help to share a little context early with:
*Your line manager
*HR or People team
*A trusted senior colleague
This doesn’t mean disclosing more than you’re comfortable with. It might be as simple as:
“I’m likely to have some additional caring responsibilities this year, so at some point I may need to explore flexible working options. I wanted to mention it early so we can plan together.”
Early, thoughtful conversations often create more flexibility and understanding later.
3. Know who you would go to for help
Finally, ask yourself:
*If something difficult happened tomorrow, who at work would I talk to first?
*Outside of work, which two or three people could I lean on for practical or emotional support?
*Write their names down somewhere you’ll see them. In moments of stress, even deciding who to contact can feel like a big decision; having this list ready can help.
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