Current Dilemma: How do you deal with crying in the office?

Recently, a supervisor I manage invited me to a performance review of one of his staff. The employee remained silent while her immediate supervisor delivered a list of performance problems. I started to provide recommendations on how to improve. Before I got halfway through the list, the employee shed a few tears.

While I tried to calm the employee, her crying grew worse. The immediate supervisor snapped, “Stop crying right now. This is a business office. Get yourself together.”

The employee wiped her eyes and looked vulnerable, making me feel like a dolt. I suggested we finish the review after she had time to take it in. I acted professionally without being snippy or humiliating her.

I know we’re human and crying happens. But how should managers deal with it? Accept it? Let an upset employee calm down elsewhere? How should we handle this situation in the workplace?

— Manager