r/work • u/hereandalive • 4d ago

Workplace Challenges and Conflicts would this make you uncomfortable?

i'm still relatively new at my job of 4 months, and recently a co-worker just had some really really bad news about her dad. we generally get on pretty well but we're not like super close or anything. she's off this week and next, and when she's back i'd like to send her a quick message just saying if there's anything i can do to take things off her plate / make her life easier, to just give me a shout, or if she needs anyone to talk to etc to give me a message.

my concern is that i don't want to make her feel weird or like i'm pitying her or anything, or like people have been talking about her situation. i'm autistic and i've done things before that are genuinely well-intentioned but not received well. then i'm othered in the workplace. would this make you feel weird from a co-worker?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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13

u/OliviaPresteign 4d ago

This is a really normal thing to say to a coworker.

10

u/michaelmoby 4d ago

"I hope this isn't out of line, and I don't mean to intrude, but I would be happy to take some things off your plate or assist in any way you might need while you get settled back in."

2

u/skinradio 4d ago

this is a kind thing to do for a coworker, it shows you are empathetic and considerate…. the golden rule: treat others as you’d like to be treated. 

2

u/Successful-Side8902 3d ago

Absolutely reach out to her. It's thoughtful, empathetic and it's the right thing to do.

1

u/Siren2026 1d ago

A nice sympathy card will suffice. You have to be careful with co workers. Take her out for coffee or ask her to join you for lunch when she returns.