Small Talk for Work
A reliable way to greet someone you don't know very well
What is "Hello"? / What is "How are you?" / What is "Good morning/afternoon"? / What is
This is a coping skill we can use anytime, anywhere, as long as we are alive
What is "deep breathing"? / What is "breathing exercises"?
This is the difference between a random decision and an informed decision
What is "information"? / What is "all the available information"?
This is a term for how much a job pays a worker for every hour of work
What is "a wage"? / What is "an hourly wage"?
Arguing or working in support of someone's needs is called this
What is "advocacy"?
This is part of some people's personal lives and might determine which holidays and traditions are important to them, BUT it's a good idea to avoid in small talk
What is "religion"?
This is a professional and healthier alternative to biting our nails or picking our nose
What is "using a stress ball"? / What is "using a fidget"? / What is "journaling"? / What is "drawing"?
If you have a hard time getting back from your lunch break on time, you could make an informed decision to use this on your cell phone
What is "an alarm"? / What is "a timer"?
Most jobs don't pay people in cash. Instead, most people receive one of these when it's payday
What is "a paycheck"? / What is "a direct deposit"?
This important skill helps you stand up for yourself and your needs in a situation. It's especially important for people with disabilities to learn how to do
What is "self-advocacy"?
A great way to check in with coworkers after time off, if you see them on a Monday and neither of you worked since Friday
What is "How was your weekend?" / What is "What did you do over the weekend?"
This is a coping skill that really needs earbuds to be used during a break at work
What is "listening to music"? / What is "listening to relaxing sounds"?
Folks with disabilities benefit from the services of this type of support worker, who sometimes might be able to help them make an informed decision
What is "a DSP"? / What is "a Direct Support Professional"?
This is an example of a work location where workers might have to work on Thanksgiving
What is "a grocery store"? / What is "a restaurant"? / What is "a movie theater"?
This is who should make a decision about how to spend your own money
Who is "me"? / Who is "myself"? / Who is "ourselves"?
Your coworker's pet has died. This is a professional way to express that you care, WITHOUT getting religious
What is "I'm sorry for your loss"? / What is "my condolences"?
This is a coping skill to use OUTSIDE of work time to help us reduce stress and get stronger -- and it also helps us perform better at work
What is "exercise"? / What is "working out"?
This is an important type of benefit which people in jobs earn depending on how long they have been with their company
What is "vacation time"? / What is "paid time off"?
What is "like they don't matter"? / What is "unimportant"? / What is "disrespected"? / What is "hurt"?
This coping skill helps get you into a different mental space by getting you physically outdoors and moving around
What is "taking a walk outside"?
To take time off at work, we have to submit one of these, and our supervisor has to approve it
What is "a time off request"?