Why I Didn’t Offer Condolences to My Boss

You’d think working side by side with my boss every day would make offering condolences a no-brainer, right? But when her father passed away, I found myself hesitating, unsure if a simple “I’m sorry for your loss” would come off as genuine or just office small talk. Maybe it was the fear of crossing a boundary, or maybe I worried my words would sound hollow. After all, our relationship was strictly professional—no coffee breaks, no personal chats. Would my sympathy even matter to her, or would it just feel awkward? Sometimes, silence feels safer than risking the wrong words. But now, I wonder if I missed a chance to show a little humanity at work. Ever been caught in that awkward in-between? 🤔 #workplaceetiquette #officerelationships #empathy #JobCareer