Working Through Grief

Most people’s worst fear is the loss of a loved one. Be it a parent, spouse, or child, we are consistently wracked with worrisome thoughts of catastrophes that could befall our favorite people. We may even grieve for our own misfortunes. Many of us have already experienced loss and may still be processing those feelings, we’ll discuss working through grief later on.

Simply put, grief is the feeling of loss and may be felt for past, present, or future losses. We may grieve death, illness, or other health concerns. However, grief is not only limited to the loss of life. Experiencing any traumatic event can leave us feeling less than ourselves.

Perhaps the hardest part of grief is having to move through life while processing this pain. What happens when you must bring those feelings to work? Unfortunately for most people, the obligations of life don’t stop for our pain. We can, however, help ease people’s burdens by offering patience and empathizing with others as they heal.

It is important to understand that grief doesn’t look just one way and to make space for different expressions of grief.

Acknowledging the Current Climate

We are currently in a universal state of grief. Covid-19 has ravaged communities all over the world and left millions of families without loved ones. Many people who survived the virus have been left disabled by complications post infection. We should continue to acknowledge that people are operating differently just as the world is operating differently.

Managing Grief in the Workplace

Grief cannot be set aside or ignored, so it will (understandably) follow employees into the office. People will often try and fail to push through their grief and continue their normal work routines. To prevent this, both managers and coworkers can use some of the following guidelines to help grieving people readjust to work.

When Managing Someone Who’s Grieving:

Allow Flexible Schedules

It is possible to achieve results and meet deadlines while allowing people to work in ways that respect their needs. If someone has recently experienced a loss, the smallest incidents or memories may trigger painful emotions. Some people will prefer to grieve in private. If possible, allow people to work from home as often as they need. Let them know that they are supported and that their team wishes them well.

Express Concern

Let the person know that you care and understand that they are hurting. A grieving employee’s experience returning to work is most heavily impacted by their manager’s response to their return. Employees whose managers express care during stressful times report feeling more appreciated overall. Do not expect them to immediately perform work as they did before. Lighten the person’s workload to help ease them back into their daily routine.

Respect Privacy

As previously mentioned, people express grief differently. Some people may not be noticeably receptive to expressions of sympathy or even want to share news of their loss with the entire team. Do not take offense, as they are likely handling the process the best way they can.

When You’re Grieving at Work:

Allow Time to Heal

Do not hurry to take on new commitments. If you are coping with a loss, be honest with yourself about what you need even if your needs change day to day. It will take time to work through your grief, so do not hesitate to use your bereavement time until you are ready.

Be Honest with Your Manager

Let your manager know if you’re struggling with work. Grief can inhibit your brain’s ability to concentrate and perform work. You may start to feel stuck or lost while performing the simplest everyday tasks. If you are experiencing this, tell your manager so they can accommodate you.

Take Breaks During the Day

We want to stress that you should not attempt to power through your grief. This will most likely lead to burnout and more intense feelings of suffering. Even after you’ve returned to work, take your time completing your assignments.

Conclusion

We all benefit from the presence of immigrants and play a part in welcoming them into our community!