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We all receive bad news at work, either from the head of our department or from a colleague

When it comes to telling bad news in the professional sphere, it is important to bear in mind the following conditions:

- Order

It is not the same to tell bad news first and then good news. Generally, when one is the one who transmits the news, one prefers to start with positivism, although listeners prefer to hear bad news first, because of the feeling of uncertainty and urgency. 

- Clarity

When we receive bad news, we want to be told straightforwardly and directly. It is important to tell the news as clearly as possible and to report the essentials so that the underlying problem is fully understood.

- Sensitivity

How we react to bad news will depend on our state of mind, the location where the message is delivered, the channel through which it is delivered. There are multiple factors that can maximise the relevance of the message or, conversely, reduce it. 

- Receptivity 

Every worker is different and each one will receive bad news in a different way. According to experts, it is surprising to learn that workers who have experienced anxiety and stress tend to be more receptive to bad news. A state of stress puts the worker in a state of alertness and increases his or her attention, and this helps the processing of negative news.