How to foster a workplace culture that supports employee grief

In a work world where employees are encouraged to share their personal experiences, giving rise to forums like employee resource groups (ERGs), grief remains one area with enormous stigma attached. That needs to change, workplace experts said.

Corporate America has an opportunity for cultural leadership by transforming the way grief is addressed, and it is fair to expect that many people will benefit from those efforts. It is not an exaggeration to say that if companies were to prioritizing grief, the impact would be global.

We are slowly moving away from the expectation that people leave their person selves at home when they arrive [at work]. This, as, with advent of remote work, the lines are even more blurred between our professional and personal lives.

Grief may show up in a variety of different behaviors or moods in the workplace, including depression, anger -- or even avoiding the topic all together -- as Henry noted. While some may find that work provides a healthy structure and distraction from overwhelming emotions, others may find that the ability to be flexible about their work responsibilities allows them to continue working while also processing their loss.

Grief counseling in a workplace setting is an incredibly important resources for employers and employees alike, helping employers to create a culture of understanding that acknowledges grief and its effects on those affected by it. Counselors can guide employers on how to create a workplace environment that is supportive of those who are grieving, and they can help employees understand their emotions and find ways to cope with them.

Grief counselors can provide "a listening ear" to those who are grieving the loss of a family member, colleague or pet, and can also help those coping with grief come to terms with changes in their work environment, including corporate restructuring and layoffs. Counselors may also offer guidance on how to cope with the losses they have experienced in terms of productivity, work-life balance and communication with colleagues.

The journey to establishing a grief-friendly work environment begins with recognizing its importance, then implementing direct policies that support employees who are grieving. The ultimate aim to foster a culture of empathy. It's time for a compassion revolution.

Among the solutions workplaces can incorporate, we suggest:

Bereavement leave

Employers should reevaluate such policies, as the standard, three-day leave for the loss of an immediate family member is insufficient. A full week's leave is more realistic and supportive. Consider offering easily accessible unpaid leave and ensure your company policy covers absences due to the loss of non-immediate family members.

Management practices

When an employee is affected by death, it is crucial for management to exhibit the appropriate response. Grief support training sessions are a valuable tool for ensuring your management team models empathetic behavior. Your Employee Assistance Program can also help establish individual counseling for grieving employees and create workplace grief support groups.

Workplace education

Make sure your employees understand that you are committed to fostering a compassionate work environment, and provide ongoing grief education to reinforce that message.

Flexibility

Promoting flexibility is essential when it comes to aiding those employees coping with grief. Offer alternative work arrangements, compressed work weeks, job sharing, telecommuting and other work-life balance options.

By implementing such a support system, we suggest, employers " can help foster a compassionate work environment, promote employee well-being, and ultimately increase productivity and retention."