BOISE -- We all know the infamous line "there's no crying in baseball!" from 'A League of Their Own.'
But what about at work? Is it ever a good idea to express your emotions on the job? What if you just can't help but turn on the waterworks at work?
According to a recent survey from staffing firm Accountemps, 45% of workers admitted to crying at work. That's early one in every two workers.
But how is being emotional at work perceived by coworkers and bosses?
Accountemp found that 44% of CFO's said crying is OK from time to time, but doing it too often can undermine your career prospects.
30% of CFO's say it's ok to cry at work because it shows your human, while 26% say it's never okay to cry at work because it shows your weak and immature.
So what can you do? How-to videos on YouTube offer advice.
"If you are going to cry at work, do go to the nearest bathroom. Do enter a stall. You will find privacy and you'll be able to cry without disturbing your colleagues," said 'CH2 Making it Weird' YouTube channel.
Real experts say it's best to consider when crying is inappropriate.
"Thinking before reacting will not only help your professional reputation but also show that you are considerate of your colleagues," said Michael Steinitz, executive director of Accountemps. "Frequent emotional displays can be disruptive to coworkers and ultimately damage your work relationships."
Certainly, no one will fault someone for crying because of personal issues, like a death in the family or a major illness. But crying because of daily stress is seen as least appropriate.
"We're all human, and sometimes emotions can get the best of us," said Steinitz.
Accountemp offers five scenarios that can test even the coolest head and advice for handling each with professionalism and emotional intelligence:
1.The overbearing boss — Your manager keeps a close eye on you and gives you little control over projects. This can cause more stress and decreased morale and productivity. Instead of becoming frustrated, set up a private meeting with your boss to discuss ways you can build trust and gain more independence.
2.The combative coworker — You and your colleague keep butting heads on a business problem. Try to consider your coworker's perspective. Hearing another point of view may help you both resolve the dispute more quickly.
3.The innocent error — As soon as you hit "send" on an email to your boss, you realize you've made a mistake. Instead of yelling out in frustration and distracting others, keep a level head as you address the situation. Send a follow-up note or speak with your manager to apologize and correct the issue.
4.The personal emergency — Private struggles, such as a family crisis or health concerns, are bound to affect your work life at some point in your career. Consider talking to your boss — without oversharing — and request scheduling flexibility or a personal leave. Being transparent can ultimately benefit you and your employer.
5.The unbearable workload — Juggling too many tasks can lead to burnout. Instead of lashing out when your manager assigns you more work, meet to prioritize and possibly delegate projects to your teammates or temporary hires.
