Change at Work
What should you do if your usual break spot is taken?
Example: Someone is sitting in your usual seat.
I can choose another seat to sit in, if my seat is taken.
How do you know someone is feeling uncomfortable?
Their face might look confused or they might stop talking or look away.
What does it mean to be flexible?
It means I can stay calm and try something new when things don’t go as planned.
How might someone feel if plans change?
They might feel surprised, annoyed, or disappointed.
You take your break at work and your usual seat is taken. What can you do?
I sit somewhere else today.
You went to take your break, but someone was sitting in the chair you always use. You didn’t know what to do, and the other person looked confused.
I will choose another place to sit without making the person feel uncomfortable.
What’s a polite way to ask someone if you can sit near them?
I can say, ‘Can I sit near you?'
Name one time you were flexible recently.
When I had to switch my spots because someone else was sitting in my preferred seat during my break. I sat somewhere different.
What does a frustrated face look like?
They might frown, have tight lips, or fold their arms
You're helping a resident who moves slowly, and you're starting to feel frustrated. You need to respond kindly. What can you do or say?
I can take a deep breath, remind myself they need more time, and say, ‘Take your time, I’m here to help’
The staff meeting is moved to another room. What do you do?
I can ask a staff member where to go and follow the group to the new spot.
How do you join a conversation that already started?
I wait for a pause and say, ‘That’s cool,’ or ‘Can I tell you something?
Act out a change in plans and show a flexible response.
Act it out: My usual chair is taken, so I sat in a different spot.
What emotion might someone show if they’re excited?
They might smile, talk more, or bounce in place.
You ask a staff member a question, but they seem busy and don’t answer right away. What is a respectful and effective way to handle the situation?
I can say, ‘I know you’re busy—can you help me when you have a moment?
Your favorite task at work is assigned to someone else. Now what?
I can ask my supervisor if there is a different task I can do.
What can you say if someone seems upset you took “their” spot?
I can say, ‘Sorry, I didn’t know you wanted that spot. Want to sit together?’”
Give an example of a big deal vs a small deal.
A small deal is when someone takes your seat. A big deal is a fire alarm.
You planned to go to your favorite spot after work, but it was unexpectedly closed. You started to feel upset and frustrated. What’s one thing you can do to handle this emotion in the moment?
I can take a deep breath, talk to someone about how I feel, or choose a different activity to enjoy instead.
You're in a situation at work where a coworker is taking longer than usual to complete a task, and you're unsure how to respond. What is a positive way to handle the situation?
I wait patiently, offer assistance if needed, and focus on staying calm while being supportive.
You’re asked to try something new today. What helps you stay calm?
I can take a deep breath, remind myself I can do hard things, and try it.
A friend cancels plans last minute—how do you respond kindly?
Say, ‘No worries. Maybe another day!’
Why is flexibility an important life skill?
It helps me feel calm, be more independent, and handle unexpected stuff.
What can you do to calm down when you're overwhelmed?
I can listen to music, count to 10, go for a walk, or take deep breaths.
You made a mistake on the job and feel embarrassed. You want to fix it but don’t know what to say. What should you do?
I can tell a staff member, ‘I made a mistake—can you help me fix it?’ and remember that mistakes are okay if I ask for help and learn from them