How To Support Grieving Employees

Death and loss happen to employees and coworkers.  Family members die and some figure in unfortunate fatal accidents. When grief strikes coworkers, one can be profoundly affected as well – here are some steps to take to help comfort and support them at this difficult time.

The company management can organize ways to offer sympathy.  These include collecting money for a struggling employee, taking a dish to pass at a wake, lining up home-cooked dinners for weeks for the bereaved family, sending flowers, or sending a group card signed by coworkers.


Image source: Pixabay.com 

Bosses and managers should be specially equipped to deal with the situation.  They are, after all, the first ones to be informed in the organization when there is a sad life situation that occurs.  Be prepared to talk to the employee about available options, the bereavement leave, and details into the health or life insurance benefits, if applicable.  As an HR staff, be caring, supportive, and knowledgeable about the options available to the grieving employee.

Know, too, that offering employees more time to deal with the grief via longer bereavement leave or reduced work hours could wind up costing the organization less.  There are available mechanisms to ensure that work gets done while the employee finds time to heal.  Companies such as Facebook and Mastercard, for instance, have offered extended bereavement leaves to their employees.


Image source: Pixabay.com 

It’s also important to give the person all the time and space an employee needs.  Create a strategy to reassign projects, introduce a flexible schedule for the time being, and take some pressure off the employee’s back.

Dr. Wayne Imber is a retired professor of social and developmental psychology, having taught at many undergraduate and masters programs throughout Arizona, Chicago, and Massachusetts. For similar reads, visit this page.

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