Grieving employee, what can you do as an employer?

Everyone faces it sooner or later and it is part of life: loss. After loss comes mourning. This also plays a role in the workplace. Your role as an employer may be more important than you think. What can you do? And what should or should not you do?

First, it is important that you ask questions and take the time for your employee to listen.

"What do you do in a day and how do you get through the days? The question is open-ended and gives the employee space to be able to tell his/her story. A person with grief is not sad all day and will also do daily activities.
'What goes well and what goes less well?' Again, the question is open and the employee can answer this question focused on his/her private situation, but also related to work. From private life you as an employer can possibly make the bridge to work and build on this.
'What gives you energy in terms of work and what is needed to combine work and grief?' Grief comes after loss and is inherent in life. Grief remains present to a greater or lesser degree and does not 'pass'. There is no time for grief, which is why discussing grief combined with work is so important.

Speaking from personal experience: everyone experiences loss in his/her own way and there is no right or wrong in that. It does not help an employee to talk about someone else's loss and it tends to create misunderstanding rather than a listening ear.
Give advice or solutions: no matter how well-intentioned, do not try to come up with solutions. Ask your employee what he/she needs to reconcile work with grief.
Time heals all wounds: No, this is not true with loss. You always carry the loss and grief with you and it is present to a greater or lesser degree and that is allowed.

Along with loss, work is also part of life. Occupational Health and De Arbodienst Advisors regularly hear from managers that they find it difficult to connect with an employee who has just dealt with loss. The employee is dealing with it right now in his/her life, so stay in touch and don't "leave the employee alone. It is from the best of intentions that this is said, but that only adds to the barrier to return. Work provides structure and rhythm. Colleagues are a social support and can offer a listening ear, and work provides distraction and satisfaction. Despite your grief, you contribute to society.

absenteeism remains a difficult issue and is customized. The Labor and Health Advisor can provide good advice on how best to deal with this, including with an employee who is dealing with grief and bereavement. Ask us at your meeting with the employee to reach lasting agreements.