Open Letter - Learning Pool Newsletter 23 August 2024

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Dear Colleagues,

Losing coworkers hurts my heart, even when the reasons are obvious. Often the specifics are not visible to me, and the not knowing itself causes more anxiety that seems appropriate or justifiable given memories of being the one to hire and fire, and having my employment ended more than once with no consideration of the impact it would have on me and my family. Job insecurity has been widely studied, as have other realities of the costs and benefits associated with living in an industrial society and workforce. This is a newsletter, and not one of my psychology graduate student seminars of yore, so I'll skip the rest of the lecture and get right to The Ask.
 
As we periodically say adieu to people we have worked with on a daily basis and welcome new folks to our team, let us make extra effort to connect as people, as fellow citizens of the world beyond our identity as employees, especially all those who work remotely. Maybe invite others to meet during an after-hours game or agendaless conversation, or roll a come-as-you-are call in the background to just chat while you make your lunch. Schedule a regular break time you are willing to share, and invite others to do the same. Slack me @Brandon any time to set something up. Others could comment in this newsletter to make public their desire to connect informally.
 
As we approach World Mental Health Day (October 10th, same as LP Live!), let us work together to build community using the technological tools available to us to make inefficient, eccentric, non-technical connections that go beyond our professional persona. Reduce the anxiety of job insecurity that everyone feels, no matter how "tenured," by building connections during your membership in this group of humans, but also by staying connected after you move on. Let's really have each other's backs and practice doing the right thing together.

With unconditional positive regard,
(Psychologist joke. We're not supposed to use unprofessional words like "love.")
 
Brandon W