Trauma At Work: Why It’s Time to Talk

Trauma. The word alone makes people twitch.

Few people can talk about trauma without an uncomfortable look on their face. And I don’t blame them! Merriam Webster defines trauma as "a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury" or - and this is perhaps even worse - "an emotional upset".

That is inaccurate and misleading.

There’s so much we’ve learned about trauma in the last 10-15 years, but most of it hasn’t made it into mainstream awareness. Too many people still think trauma is rare, dramatic, and easy to spot - something that happens to a few unfortunate others, some kind of visible unravelling that prevents its victims from living a “normal” life.

In reality, trauma is an instinctive, protective response to circumstances that exceed our ability to cope. Trauma can happen to anyone, at any point in their lives. 70% of us will experience at least one overwhelming negative experience in our lifetime, and many of us won’t be able to just “bounce back” without support.

And most trauma doesn’t look like a crisis, either. High achievers often use success as a way of regaining a sense of safety and self-worth that trauma robbed them of.

Work is the last place where we’re supposed to bring our adversity stories. We’re taught to be professional, composed, resilient. To leave our messy bits at the door and stick to the script.

If you’re a survivor and worry about speaking up at work, you have every reason to. In this article I explore why that decision is so complex, and why silence often feels safer.

I suspect the choice isn’t much easier if you’re a silent ally, someone without any skin in the game. Trauma isn’t trending. Unless your CEO (and their bosses) are on board already, attempting to put trauma on the map might get you all the wrong attention. The truth is, talking about trauma at work is uncomfortable, unpopular, and potentially career-limiting.

That’s why I’ve named my business Trauma At Work.

Because we need to normalize conversations about trauma.

Because some people are ready to confront their shadows, and understand not everything can (or should) be compartmentalized.

Because I know that when you’re in someone else’s house, you don’t rearrange the furniture.

This may not be a conversation we can start from inside most organisations. So I’m creating a space for it.

Right now, trauma at work feels like an underground movement - raw, real, growing. In my mind, trauma today is what LGBTQ+ rights or autism were 30 years ago. Fringe topics, quietly shaping lives behind the scenes, waiting to be seen without shame or fear of repercussions.

If this resonates and you want to add your voice and demand change, please take the Adversity & Work Survey. It’s anonymous, quicker than making a cuppa, and you can share as much or as little as you like. The more participants, the stronger the impact.

Oh, and I’ve contacted Merriam-Webster and asked them to reconsider their definition. The 21st century awaits.