If you are going through a divorce, even if it is amicable, you will eventually have to tell your boss about it. The fact is that divorce is a major event in a person’s life and dissolving your marriage will impact you in more ways than one. You will have to make changes to things like your health care plan and tax status, and even miss time from work to attend court appointments, counseling, or mediation sessions. Moreover, divorce is an emotional process and, if you are going through a difficult time, it would be wise to tell your boss why. Of course, that does not mean you should get deep into the details. This is still a work environment and you need to behave professionally.
How do you go about telling your boss that you are getting a divorce? Below is a list of some tips on how to navigate this delicate situation:
- Do not get too confessional: When you notify your boss about your divorce, it is important to do this within the context of your job. Your boss is not the person to talk to about what went wrong in your marriage. The purpose of this conversation is to let him or her know if you will miss work, if you might need help handling your workload, and any other details related to your responsibilities. It might be tempting to confide in your boss, but save it for your friends, family, or therapist.
- Do not use your divorce as an excuse: True, you are going through a troubling time in your life, but work still needs to be done. It is important that you continue to do your job well even during the course of your divorce. Your boss might provide some understanding and compassion for you due to your circumstances, but you cannot expect there not to be any consequences for not performing at work.
- Give your boss an idea of what to expect: If you know when you are scheduled to be in court, which days you will need to attend a mediation session, or any other divorce-related matter that might require time off, inform your boss as soon as possible. Provide your boss as much information as you can in regards to how your divorce might impact your job.
- Find out which paperwork you need to complete: When a person’s marital status changes, it requires a lot of updating, so make sure you find out what needs to be done.
Divorce Attorneys in Hudson Valley
If you are going through a divorce, you need to seek legal representation as soon as possible to protect your interests and ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. At the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, JR., LLC, our Hudson Valley attorneys have over 50 years of collective experience and are dedicated to providing compassionate counsel and trial-tested advocacy.
Get the help you deserve and contact our office at (845) 605-4330 to schedule your free and confidential consultation today!