No matter what career stage you’re in, finding the right job for you can seem like a daunting task. Whether you’re fresh out of college looking for your first career step, reevaluating your profession in your mid-career, or just lost your job and are looking for a redirection, career uncertainty can feel overwhelming and it can be hard to stay motivated. In this case, it’s important to know how to find a job that feels right.

For millions of American families, food insecurity has little to do with whether someone is working. It has everything to do with whether work pays enough, stays consistent, and comes with the stability needed to plan for basic needs. This is the reality Lemontree, a nonprofit food assistance platform, confronts every day — and it's a reality that overlaps closely with the workplace and employment challenges Empower Work exists to address.

Feeling constantly overworked, emotionally drained, and disconnected from your job? These are some signs that you may be having more than just a rough week. You may be experiencing burnout.

When you’re struggling at work, finding the right words to describe what you’re feeling is hard. And finding those words in a language that isn’t your first can feel deeply isolating. If English isn’t your native language, you’re not alone.

Challenging work moments are tough and can consume your entire life. Bad managers, toxic coworkers, an overload of work without being paid what you deserve, gaslighting, job loss, long job searches—these work issues can leave you feeling helpless. Not addressing these work issues can lead to long-lasting effects like burnout, anxiety and stress, and poor mental well-being. 

In short, these workplace issues are putting your mental health at risk.  

So, what’s the best first step? Talk to someone. 

Losing a job can feel like the ground disappears beneath you. One moment you have structure, income, and a sense of direction. Next, you're faced with uncertainty, difficult questions, and a long list of things you didn’t expect to manage all at once.

This blog offers 5 ways to protect your well-being during unemployment.

At Empower Work, 90% of people report feeling better about their work issue after a conversation with a peer counselor. Volunteer peer counselors are here to listen, ask questions, and help you move forward and take your next steps. Sometimes, you just need to talk to someone who gets it.

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when you text Empower Work, this guide walks you through the experience, step by step.

There are moments when the weight of the world feels especially heavy. The news may feel relentless and the future may feel unclear. And somehow, in the middle of all that, you’re still expected to show up to work, answer emails, meet deadlines, and carry on like nothing is wrong.  

If work feels impossible right now, you’re not alone.

A new year is often wrapped with language of fresh starts and resolutions, making January feel hopeful and inspiring. You typically hear the phrase, “new year, new me.” There are new calendars, new goals, new promises to ourselves that this year will be different or better in some ways. 

But what if you’re dragging in the same work stress from last year into a new one? 

If you’re one of the millions of people working the night shift, you know your work comes with hardships and frustrations, many of which can take a toll. If you’re looking for strategies to deal with the mental and physical challenges of your work, Empower Work is here to help—whether you’re a nurse, delivery driver, emergency medical responder, utility worker, warehouse associate, janitor, security guard, rideshare driver, or any other job on the night shift.

Empower Work staff member, Mackenzie, shares her story about how her boss at her first job affected her mental health. This story shines a light on how one comment or request from someone could change the trajectory of someone’s work life and well-being. One comment from Mackenzie’s boss threw her off guard and made her feel anxious, small, and self-conscious at work.

April 22, 2022, the annual Day of Silence, aims to reclaim the silence and erasure so often forced upon LGBTQ+ people: students, educators, and allies take a vow to not speak, demonstrating the impact of LGBTQ+ people being silenced. In a year when LGBTQ+ rights are already under attack—from the discriminatory “Don’t Say Gay” bill signed into law in Florida to the classification of gender-affirming care as child abuse in Texas—the Day of Silence feels more urgent than ever. And the impact of these rulings isn’t just being felt in schools. People of all ages have been feeling on edge, unsupported, and worried in response. At Empower Work, we talk with people every day who are struggling with these feelings at work, feeling targeted because of who they are and unable to seek support. We believe no one should feel like they have nowhere to turn. That’s why we’re here to help.

Teachers have been juggling a lot for the past few years: navigating remote and in-person learning, responding to changing masking and testing requirements, managing stressed parents, and attempting to ensure their students are learning on top of all of it. At Empower Work, we regularly talk with teachers who find themselves feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Many educators share that they love teaching, but they are struggling with poor management, insufficient pay, and constantly-changing COVID-related conditions. If this is your experience, know you’re not the only one—and we have tools to support you.

The pandemic has been a period of incredible upheaval, both at home and at work. It has also revealed just how tenuous the semblance of stability is—especially for working parents. As people are going back to work in higher numbers, we have an opportunity to rethink how employers can best support workers who are also caretakers at home.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 marks Equal Pay Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the gender pay gap that persists in the United States. Women, on average, earn just 83 cents for every dollar earned by men—and though this differs based on race, location, and industry, the trend has significant implications. On this Equal Pay Day, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to learn more about the history and present of the gender wage gap in this country, and what you can do in your own workplace to help address it.

Last year, Empower Work made a huge difference in the lives of workers across the US. Our impact wouldn’t be possible without our incredible volunteer peer counselors. We supported 30,000 workers through our text line and online resources. We couldn’t be more proud of the difference we’ve made in workers’ lives. We support people’s emotional and economic well-being, help people take the actions that feel right for them, support people through online resources, and systemically improve workplace well-being.

As Black History Month comes to a close, we recognize that just as the Black experience is a crucial part of American history, it is also a crucial part of the American present—including at work. But what if your workplace doesn't see it that way? What if you’re in an environment that recognizes Black History Month with an event or press release, but does nothing to address systemic inequities or support its Black employees through the rest of the year? Here are a few things to consider.

Black History Month is an important time to celebrate the achievements and triumphs of the Black community. This year’s focus for Black History Month is Black Health and Wellness which calls for workplaces to respect and prioritize the health and safety of Black employees. Workplace health and safety conditions have been an issue that the Black community has fought for since long before our time. Among these activists were the unsung Black women who fought for Labor Rights - women like Coretta Scott King, Nannie Helen Burroughs, Lucy Parsons, Sylvia Woods, and Dora Lee Jones. Although workplace equity still has a long way to go, we have a movement and a legacy to be inspired by, thanks to the Black women activists who paved the way.

February is Black History Month: a time to recognize the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities of Black Americans throughout the history—and present—of this country. This year’s focus, Black Health and Wellness, recognizes the long legacy of Black medical practitioners, scholars, and healthcare providers. It also uplifts the myriad ways in which Black communities have fostered health and wellness outside of traditional medical systems—from mutual aid and community clinics to medical and nursing schools. In the workplace, prioritizing Black health and wellness is more important than ever. Here’s what you can do to make this a priority this year and every year.

Deciding to quit a job can bring up a lot of emotions—you may be excited about a new opportunity, relieved to get out of a stressful work environment, or feeling guilty for leaving your manager or team in a tough spot. Here are some of the most common concerns we hear people struggling with when they’ve decided to quit a job, and tips for dealing with them.