We’re seldom prepared when death touches our lives. We often feel blindsided and left in a daze, wondering how to move forward. Yet, like clockwork Monday comes, and we’re expected to be at the office. Sometimes that Monday is a few months away, sometimes it’s a few weeks and sometimes Monday is the very next day. Regardless, it always seems to come too soon.
Recently I read an article in Fortune that explored how to navigate grief in the workplace. The piece really hit home, so I wanted to share a few key takeaways.
1: There are multiple ways to approach returning to the workplace after the death of a loved one
According to Megan Devine, psychotherapist and grief advocate, grieving employees may return to the office and want their coworkers to acknowledge the loss. Others might prefer not to talk about it. Some might opt for extended leave or quit altogether. Everyone’s grief journey is different, so everyone’s experience at work will be too. A best practice is to ask how you can support the needs of the grieving individual. What’s helpful? What do they prefer? Sensitively opening a dialogue can create an environment of trust and align expectations for the betterment of the individual and team.
2: Companies should implement policies for handling grief
Devine argues that while bereavement policies are a great start, we should really aim for “grief-in-the-workplace” policies. Like any effective plan, it should be in place before it’s required. Devine reasons that conversations around grief-in-the-workplace policies should occur on HR teams before a loss happens. That way, employees can be best supported in the event they lose a loved one.
3: Investing in grief support in the workplace has positive financial impact
Often, upon returning to work, grieving employees find they are unable to perform at the same level as before. They may find that their memory is lacking, they’re unable to concentrate or they can’t think clearly. The Grief Recovery Institute Educational Foundation predicts the average annual cost in lost productivity, lost business and poor performance resulting from the death of a loved one is more than $37.5 billion. These losses could be decreased if employers provided flexible time off, reduced hours, an option to work remotely, and financial assistance.
4: Patience is key
Grief is an incredibly complex and personal experience. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, so it’s important to be patient whether you’re the one grieving or you’re reporting to a grieving manager. With time, the effects of loss will hopefully fade, but getting ahead of the situation will surely benefit everyone involved.
If you or someone you know is grieving and in need of a resource to aid in navigating the complicated process, I recommend checking out Refuge in Grief.