Crying at work isn't unlikely as you'd think - but what happens when you do
The weight of being the first female chancellor is weighing heavy on Rachel Reeves shoulders as seen during PMQ's on July 2 - but seeing her cry in the House of Commons was devastating.
We've all had times where work can feel overwhelming and many women may resonate all too well with Ms. Reeves emotions after a bad day at work. Always appearing with a perfect stoic, with an unwavering tone and message staying strong, it was the first time people may have seen the chancellor on a more personal level.
Besides being in front of peers, television cameras and opposition leaders, the chancellor openly displayed her feelings after being spotted with a tear rolling down her cheek. Whether it was work related or not, it's caused a mixed opinion - and her feelings aren't unusual.
She's not alone in feeling emotional at work, a YouGov & Mental Health UK 2025 Burnout report study of 4,418 UK adults conducted found that the risk of burnout remains prevalent, with one in three (34%) adults experiencing high or extreme levels of pressure or stress 'always' or 'often' last year, compared with 35% the previous year. Meanwhile, nine in 10 (91%) experienced high pressure or stress at some point over the last year.
Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Tim Hunt once boldly said women shouldn't be allowed to work in laboratories because 'when you criticise them, they cry'. But can crying at work truly impact your career?
"Crying at work is neither inherently 'good' nor 'bad," Lucas Botzen, CEO of Rivermate and HR specialist told The Mirror. "What matters is the context. For example, I've seen people cry due to grief after losing a loved one, burnout from unmanageable workloads, or even overwhelming pride after achieving something meaningful."
Lucas said these are deeply human responses, and when handled appropriately, they can strengthen trust within teams. "In fact, some companies offer emotional intelligence training now to allow managers to respond with empathy when employees exhibit emotion, like crying," he added.
However, workplace culture can play an enormous role in opinions regarding tears in the office, and the expert noted that in some male-groomed or high-stress workplaces, like finance, law, or tech start-ups, crying can be "severely criticised even if unfairly."
Lucas suggested that while one's professional reputation is concerned, an isolated incidence of crying, especially if it's in the context that is acceptable "will not damage your business credibility". However if it becomes a trend, and could result in something deeper such as emotional exhaustion, poor fit, or even a mental illness issue may be indicated - HR should be involved.
He noted it shouldn't be with a disciplinary measure, but with "support, giving access to employee assistance programs (EAPs), mental health services, or workload adjustments."
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Sometimes showing a little emotion can help bolster your passion for you career, as Lucas recalled a time he watched a staff member in a high-level position at a consultancy firm lose her cool in a client debrief. He said: "Although she was frightened it would be counterproductive to her credibility, the client subsequently informed her that it made her seem more empathetic and sincere.
"In business cultures that value psychological safety, though, like those utilising Google's Project Aristotle model, vulnerability is a leadership asset."
Whether you deal with stress head on, or take a moment to gather yourself, or even shed a tear, women should be allowed to use their emotions however they wish - even if you are being broadcast on national TV. This is echoed by Holistic Empowerment & Career Coach Jo Irving, who told The Mirror that Rachel Reeves' moment was "powerful" because it was honest.
"We're shifting from the outdated idea that professionalism means emotional detachment. True leadership increasingly values authenticity and vulnerability," and added: "For leaders, showing emotion can actually be powerful, when it's clear, honest and with purpose."
So when it comes to whether it affects your job, Jo said someone who expresses vulnerability and still shows up with purpose and resilience is "often perceived as more authentic and relatable, not less capable."
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