9 Ways to Survive a Workplace Scandal - MadameNoire

The last thing you need is to find yourself in the middle of an office scandal. Hopefully it’s something that won’t cost you your job. We all know it’s hard to find steady employment you enjoy. While you might not be able to hire any real-life Olivia Popes, here are some tips on coming out of a workplace scandal.

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Leave your emotions at the door

No matter how much you want to cry, scream or flip out on someone, you need to keep your emotions in check at the office. The more you overreact to the situation, the less it does to help your quest to bury what happened. Let your feelings rip on the car ride home, but not at your job.

Find your truth

Are you really guilty of what happened, or is it all hearsay? Stop and think about the situation, who was involved, your part, and how it all went down. It’s important to know your truth as there are many folks who will try to project what they think is right on you.

Speak to management

At some point, it’s probably a good idea to speak to your boss about what’s going on. Be proactive with this decision as holding off on the inevitable could paint the wrong picture. Meet with management sooner rather than later to discuss what happened and your opinions and feelings. They will most likely give you recommendations on how to handle things going forward.

Ready yourself for tough questions

You had to know it was only a matter of time before people started asking you uncomfortable questions. Your boss may decide that silence is golden, or give you the green light to speak up for yourself. Start thinking about your response–should you feel one is necessary–and how to keep your cool when answering.

Apologize to those affected

There’s nothing wrong with trying to reach out to people you may have hurt. It takes a big person to admit their mistakes and want to correct any wrongdoings. Oftentimes, an apology can go a long way–so don’t be afraid to deliver one.

Read How to Give a Professional Apology

Don’t respond to gossip

This should one should be pretty obvious.

The more you feed gossipers, the longer they will continue to talk. People are always going to say what they want–whether they have their facts straight or not. Stay focused on your job.

Separate from the public eye (if needed)

Out of sight can sometimes be out of mind. If you feel things are too tense at work, it might be a good idea to request working from home–or temporarily moving offices. Do your best to limit unnecessary distractions.

Stop reliving the incident

What happened happened, move on.

The more you continue to play in your mind what went down, the less likely you’ll be to pick up the pieces and continue on with your life. You can’t change the past, butyou  can do what’s necessary to rebuilt your present situation in efforts to see a brighter future.

Rebuild your character

This is a personal journey you must make on your own. Regardless of your intentions, you need to take a serious look at why you were involved in this scandal. Now is the time to work on strengthening both your character and level of professionalism to prevent a situation like this from happening again. Learn from your mistakes so you can be a better person.