<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=349935452247528&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Find out where you can get a Taste of TAB... our global events blast is on!
Search
word-map-thumb

The Alternative Board Blog

Dealing with Grief in the Workplace

Nov. 24, 2020 | Posted by Jodie Shaw

 

One of the most difficult things a leader will have to deal with in the workplace is the death of an employee. Whether the result of ongoing health complications or a tragic accident, a death in the company requires nuanced, careful handling.

In recent times, I have been reminded of life’s fragility on more than one occasion. One of my team members experienced a family tragedy and came to me to discuss how their grief would impact them at work.

... there is a discomfort that surrounds grief. It makes even the most well-intentioned people unsure of what to say. And so many of the freshly bereaved end up feeling even more alone. - Meghan O'Rourke

Whether the grief is experienced at a company-wide level or is more intimately confined – no amount of training can prepare a leader to assist the team in their mourning. But how you deal with death in the workplace is an incredibly important topic.

Here are some of my suggestions:

Reach out to your team: This is an emotional time for your team. Everyone reacts to grief differently, and unexpected emotions may arise in the workplace. Let your staff know about available support services, and reach out individually to let them know they can come talk to you – especially if you notice a staff member whose mood or behavior has changed drastically.

Be open with information: It’s natural for your team to have questions and concerns about the deceased’s situation, memorial services, and the impact on ongoing work logistics. Be as forthcoming as you can without overstepping the bounds of professionalism to help other employees process their loss.

Encourage connection: The family of the deceased employee may be touched to learn how he or she was remembered in the workplace. You may offer to gather condolence cards and deliver them to the family. Physical gestures, such as cooking meals or making a donation in the memory of the deceased may also be appreciated.

Encourage remembrance: Creating a group response in memory of the deceased can be a meaningful way for your team to process grief. Choose something that allows for different levels of participation and respects your team members’ need to process their emotions differently. Examples might be:

  • Create a memorial bulletin board with photos and other meaningful images.
  • Hold a workplace event such as a luncheon or reception in honor of the deceased employee.
  • Create a memory book filled with sentiments from coworkers to give to family.
  • Hold a fundraiser dedicated to the deceased employee in order to make a charitable donation.

Above all, remind your team that your door is always open, and be sensitive in your approach.

It’s my hope that you may never have to encounter a situation where you need to manage a team through the death of one of their coworkers – but if you do, understand that each loss will be felt as distinctly as the employee who has been lost was unique.

Have you ever dealt with grief in the workplace? What are some of the lessons you learned?

 

Read our 19 Reasons You Need a Business Owner Advisory Board

DOWNLOAD

Written by Jodie Shaw

Jodie is responsible for growing the brand internationally and helping TAB Business Owners attract new TAB Members in their local markets.

Related posts

How to Build an Ethical Workplace Culture
Mar. 6, 2024 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
Most of us understand what it means to act in an ethical manner. CEOs and business owners frequently advocate a set of ethics by which to run their organizations, helping the workforce maintain a...
Clamoring for Talent: 3 Ways To Improve Employee Retention
Apr. 29, 2022 | Posted by The Alternative Board
It is still a tough labor market out there. The Great Resignation and the dearth of eager job candidates are keeping business owners shorthanded and clamoring for new talent. In many cases, this...
1099 Contractor Versus W2 Employee: You Need To Know the Difference
Apr. 22, 2022 | Posted by The Alternative Board TAB
The current labor market is a challenging one. There are no two ways about it. Wages are up, talent is scarce, and small business owners are being forced to get creative with their labor acquisition...
The Importance of a Leadership Development Plan
Mar. 15, 2022 | Posted by Phil Spensieri
As a business owner have you ever given any thought as to who will replace one of your senior staff if they were to resign today? It’s a hard question, and the truth is no one really knows when...
Tips on Achieving the Elusive Work-Life Balance
Apr. 16, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Among CEOs and business leaders, the search for the best work-life balance has been going on for years. Only recently has the crucial importance of this balance become crystal-clear for everyone....
How to Build Employee Culture with a Remote Team
Apr. 6, 2021 | Posted by Phil Spensieri
Whether your staff have been working from home for the past year or rotating between home and the office, there is no doubt that for most of us there has been a change in our working environment....
5 Tips to Help Remote Workers Feel Like Part of Your Team
Feb. 11, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, a leading trend among businesses was employing remote workers in a wide range of job responsibilities. The trend has, by now, attained something of a...
Employee Onboarding Tips that Help Boost Retention
Feb. 9, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
The effective onboarding of new employees is clearly a benefit to businesses, but some companies persist in “winging it” whenever a new hire joins the team. As we have noted before, businesses that...
3 Tips on Vetting Your Most Promising Job Candidates
Feb. 4, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
It would be nice to think that every applicant to a job opening at your business is always telling the truth in their resumes, during their interviews, and throughout the hiring process....
8 Ways to Keep Your Team Accountable in a Virtual Environment
Jan. 29, 2021 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Remote work is the new normal. In fact, remote work was gaining ground even before the pandemic hit, and with the start of 2021, many IT companies have permanently taken this route. However, there...