Managing Change at Work

Change is constant. At work, you may be required to adapt to sudden changes that result from things like organizational restructuring, regulatory changes, economic conditions, operational needs or management decisions. These changes can impact how you work, who you work with or the tools and resources you use to complete your work.   

Change can be hard, especially if you feel comfortable and familiarwith your old way of working or doing things. Here are some tips to help you manage changes at work:  

It’s easy to find yourself dwelling on things you can’t change, getting lost in ‘what if’ scenarios, or looking for someone to blame, but these reactions tend to do more harm than good. Instead, look at what you can realistically act on and let go of the rest.  Some of the things you can control are staying on top of your work schedule, completing your own work, and taking care of your responsibilities. You can also provide input on how the changes are affecting your work. If you offer your feedback with the goal of improving the change management process rather than halting it, your feedback is more likely to be heard and acted on. 

Eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and monitoring your alcohol or drug use can help you to cope with changes in your work environment. Don’t worry about perfection—small changes that fit into your life are what matter. That could mean going for a walk most days and getting to bed half an hour earlier. Taking care of yourself shouldn’t be another source of stress. 

Mindfulness can help you manage stress, anxiety, and low mood. It can help lower the volume on thoughts that feel catastrophic, like when you get stuck in a loop thinking about worst-case scenarios. There are free apps that can guide you through mindfulness exercises, such as MindShift from Anxiety Canada and Breathr from Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre. There are also many subscription-based apps like Calm and Headspace. 

Resiliency means living well despite challenges—managing stress, solving problems productively (or knowing when to let something go), feeling confident and competent, and taking care of yourself. You can learn these skills for free at bouncebackbc.ca 

You and your manager or supervisor may be able to come up with solutions together to help you manage the changes. Some people are nervous about bringing up problems, so use your judgement. If your worksite is unionized, your union stewards can also help. 

No one can do everything on their own. Talking with a psychologist or counsellor can be a real help.  

If you don’t have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program or extended health coverage, you may be able to access free or low-cost counselling options. 

While change can be difficult, it often brings opportunities for growth and development. Look for those opportunities and remember that it’s a journey you don’t have to take alone.