Protecting Your Mental Health When You Dislike Your Employer But Love Your Job

Laqwanda Roberts-Buckley, MSSW

Executive Director

Being an employee at the University of Arizona right now is tough for so many reasons. Budget cuts due to mismanagement, layoffs and being told that employees won’t even receive a raise as the cost-of-living skyrockets all around us. It has been a challenging few months as uncertainty turns into the reality that U of A has failed so many of the people who have dedicated their lives to the WildCat Community. 

Even the simple fact that University President Dr. Robbins had to opportunity to decide he was going to retire, serves as a slap in the face to many who will be laid off due to his failed leadership.

Things of this nature are not uncommon these days. We see layoffs all the time. It just sits different when employees have to walk by co-workers everyday or hop on a Zoom call wondering if someone they’ve spoken to dozens of times will one day is simply not there. Of course, the University has its financial plan and course of action to “soften the blow”. However, the blow still remains and for many it’s devastating.

One moment, we are in meetings hearing one thing. Next, we are reading news articles revealing the University had misrepresented the truth. THEN, we receive emails from the University stating that there was a misunderstanding, and that the media is bending the truth that the University actually never told anyone about.

At the end of the day, it hurts. What hurts even more is when someone gets to the point where they no longer trust their employer but must maintain their employment. They develop resentment towards their employer but still love the work that they do. It is easy to see how conflicted one can become in such a situation. As a person who speaks about how these situations can impact mental health over the years, I would like to offer a few words to anyone who may find themselves in this position.
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1. Acknowledge how you feel but in a safe space. – We are going to have to acknowledge how we feel about these situations as they impact us in real time. Does this mean writing emails or making phone calls? For some people it might mean that, while for others it might mean walking away from certain conversations or taking PTO for a day. Have conversations outside of your department with people you have identified as safe. Consider conversations with those outside of work or even people who hold your position at other organizations. When you can always give ourselves space to express. Remembering, even if that expression happens alone.
2. Your Feeling Are Valid & You Don’t Have to Trust U of A Adminstration. – It is perfectly okay to no longer trust anything U of A Administration says. For someone folks they have lost their trust potentially forever. You are not overreacting, and this is not something that you can just sweep under the rug or move past. This has been a very serious matter that has disrupted so many. Feel empowered to continue to express yourself in those safe spaces.
3. Ground Yourself in Your Why Again – Remember that quote from the movie Lion King? Mufasa told Simba “Remember who you are.” You really have to remember who you are and why you are doing what you are doing. Sometimes that means asking yourself tough questions like: Is U of A the only place I can be me? What’s my plan for making it through the next year? Where is my safe space? What can I do to remind myself of why I love the WildCat Community? And yes, there is a difference between the system of the University of Arizona and the WildCat Community.

I am fully aware that there is nothing I can write or say that would ease all the frustrations of so many. However, I would like to say that I became a WildCat because it was the best choice for me. I am trying my best to remain a WildCat because I truly care about the mental health & wellness of university employees. You all are my why. And if all I have to offer is my voice and words to make these times a little gentler for us all, then it is my pleasure to do so.

Please note the thoughts expressed in this article are not representative of the University of Arizona and are curated based upon my 18 year career within the field of mental health. 

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