On the first day of work, a new employee went to the bathroom for an hour… “Where have you been?” I asked

On the first day of work, Jane was a nervous wreck. She had just landed her dream job at a marketing agency, but she was still getting used to the company’s culture and her new coworkers. Everything was going well until about an hour after lunchtime, when Jane disappeared.

As her team leader, I was concerned. Where could she have gone? Was she lost in the building? Did she need help? I went to look for her, but couldn’t find her anywhere on the floor.

Finally, I decided to check the bathroom. To my surprise, Jane was still there, sitting in a stall with her phone in her hand.

“Where have you been?” I asked, trying not to sound accusatory.

Jane looked up, startled. “Oh, hi,” she said, sounding embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I just needed to take a break. I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed.”

I could relate. Starting a new job is stressful enough without the added pressure of trying to impress your boss and colleagues. I decided to give Jane some space and let her collect herself.

After a few minutes, she emerged from the stall, looking much more composed. “Thanks for not freaking out,” she said. “I just needed a little time to regroup.”

I smiled. “No problem. We’ve all been there. Just remember, you’re not alone. We’re all here to support you.”

Over the next few weeks, Jane settled into her role at the agency and became an invaluable member of the team. She proved herself to be creative, hardworking, and a great collaborator.

Looking back on that first day, I’m glad I didn’t overreact to Jane’s disappearing act. Sometimes, we all need a little time to ourselves to recharge and refocus. It’s important to remember that we’re all human, and we should treat each other with kindness and understanding.