Supporting a colleague in the workplace…

Support in the Workplace 

When illness, dying or grief occur in the workplace, it is important to understand:

-How this will impact the work place

-How to respond meaningfully and supportively

-The importance of creating a supportive and safe environment

-How to shared grief can strengthen the work environment 

How Illness, Death, and Grief impact the work place

Practical Repercussions                                                Emotional Repercussions

-Work time spent on care giving & practical tasks            -Decreased self-esteem

-Financial concerns/impacts                                                -Inability to focus on work

-Employee errors                                                                      -Anxiety about performance & job security

-On-the-job accidents                                                            -Alienation due to lack of understanding

-Time off needed/absenteeism

-Consequences to management and team

 How to respond meaningfully and supportively

-Understand loss and grief

-Lead and model

-Open the conversation

-Provide appropriate information

-Recognize ALL affected parties

-Identify appropriate resources and provide appropriate supports: Office of Victim Assistance provides free, confidential counseling and group/staff debriefs 

Issues specific to creating a supportive and safe workplace environment

-There are differences in staff responses

-There are differences in the kinds of support needed

-Confidentiality issues

-Resource management and allocation

-Immediate attention vs. long-term follow-up

 Shared grief can strengthen the work environment

-Caregivers/grievers need acceptance

-Caregivers/grievers need job security

-Teamwork productivity can be enhanced

-Organizational management of crisis sends message to entire staff

-Grief is inherently a growth experience, individually and as a group

 Build your support and information systems BEFORE they are needed