Photo collage featuring Valerie Rodriguez, an HR professional
  • Valerie Rodriguez, an HR director, advises against oversharing personal details with managers.
  • The modern workplace encourages authenticity, but oversharing can lead to uncomfortable situations.
  • Rodriguez says sharing things like weekend plans and personal problems can hurt more than help.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Valerie Rodriguez, a 31-year-old HR director in New Jersey. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've worked in HR for 10 years, mainly partnering with business leaders to promote best practices. I'm responsible for making people feel seen, heard, and accepted at work.