Your Bereavement Return to Work Plan

One of the most challenging experiences the recently bereaved face is the return to work. The pressure to step back into professional roles or to find employment may be urgent for economic welfare. However, significant loss such as the death of a loved one cannot be escaped or put aside by an eight-hour shift. Additionally, many people routinely work much more than forty hours a week, sometimes on more than one job, and work often “comes home” with us as cell phones, deadlines and after-hours meetings have become the norm. Add the newer stress caused by COVID-19’s effect on work-related issues, and you have a recipe for high stress and very little relief. Employers, however, can do a lot to ease the situation. Four basic points can help valuable employees maintain their place in the business and still deal with personal loss and recovery. When it comes to responsibilities and workflow, people often assume a much different persona than they do in social or other settings, one that might preclude compassion in favor of professionalism, task accomplishment, and cooperation with the “team” as a whole. Thus, the following suggestions consider all employees and what each can expect from a supervisor, CEO, or business owner.  Often unconsciously, employers, colleagues and clients make the return much harder for a bereaved employee for these reasons:  Inexperience with loss, especially loss from suicide or other violent means. No related plan in place. Inflexible work en...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Grief and Loss Industrial and Workplace Self-Help Bereavement grieving Source Type: blogs