An employee feels unappreciated after her workplace ignored her loss, seeking advice on how to cope with the situation.

Philadelphia: So, there’s this woman who’s been through a lot. She lost her husband and then her mom, and it really hit her hard. When her husband passed, she got a bunch of sympathy cards, which was nice. But when her mom died, she only got one card from a friend and barely any acknowledgment at work. That stings, right?
She’s noticed that when others have babies or get sick, the workplace sends flowers and gifts. But for her, nothing. It’s like they just ignored her grief. She’s wondering if it’s too much to expect a little kindness from her employer. She hasn’t said anything to her bosses yet, but she’s feeling pretty hurt and even thinks about quitting. Is she asking for too much?
Eric, the advice guy, feels for her. He gets that grief is tough, and it’s even harder when you feel invisible. He suggests that maybe her feelings about work are tied to how her friends reacted too. It’s all connected, you know? He reassures her that wanting empathy isn’t unrealistic. We’re all human, even at work.
Instead of quitting, he thinks she should consider talking to someone about her feelings, like a grief counselor. And when she’s ready, maybe she could bring up how the workplace can do better for grieving employees. It won’t change what happened to her, but it could help others in the future.
Then there’s another letter from a woman who’s got a friend named Sara. They’ve been close for almost 30 years, but lately, things have changed. Sara’s been super self-absorbed, talking only about herself and not giving her friend a chance to share anything. It’s frustrating, especially since they used to enjoy each other’s company.
She’s sad about it because Sara has been generous over the years, but it’s becoming a chore to hang out. She’s not sure if she should say something or just keep distancing herself. Eric tells her that friendships evolve, and sometimes you have to adjust how you interact to keep it healthy. He suggests finding ways to redirect the conversation and set some boundaries without hurting Sara’s feelings.
It’s all about finding that balance, right? Keeping the friendship alive while also taking care of her own needs. It’s tough, but with a little honesty and kindness, it can work out.