How to Manage Grief and Loss in the Workplace

“If the death is predictable, it can still feel like a punch in the gut when it finally occurs,” said Robert VandePol, president of VandePol Crisis Response Services in Holland, Mich. “And if the death is unexpected, it can be laced with trauma.”

Whether expected or sudden, the death of an employee will impact the workplace. Dealing with the loss of a co-worker can be traumatic. Because of the nature of the workplace, co-workers often feel like extended family. Yet, when the unthinkable happens, employers and employees want to know what to do.

Our collective view of mortality has drastically changed due to the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown. As a result, many businesses are more in tune with the needs of their workforce and are taking active measures to help their team members effectively grieve and process losses.

Assisting work teams in navigating the death of a co-worker is not typically covered in leadership development classes. And while most companies’ H.R. departments may have some policies and procedures, they rarely provide any input regarding the personal impact on leaders and how they should lead in a crisis.

The death of a team member, on or off the job, can be troubling.