Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the impact of losing a loved one is now more prominent.
Employers are adjusting to the detrimental consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic, including providing grieving staff support when someone close has passed away.
Bereavement has an emotional toll on all. People become distracted, depressed, and withdrawn during the grieving process. Others may want a distraction and to work through this difficult period. There is no time frame for grieving. Some may take a couple of weeks others may take months. Grief impacts all in different ways.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
There are a number of supportive measures employers may wish to take when providing staff with support during these uncertain times, much of which will be detailed in the Employee Handbook under ‘compassionate leave’.
Supportive measures include being able to talk to a trained mental health expert, employers can sign post them to either their own internal Employee Assistance Programme or to charitable organisations such as Loros, Samaritans and Mind.
Employers must be flexible to bereaved staff at its early stages of loss as they are more likely to be less focused on their work. Management should put a work support plan together with daily tasks and breaks which does not impact the employee too much.
Managers should be trained on how to handle such sensitive situations. There are a number of charitable organisations such as Samaritans who offer free ongoing training support to management on how to handle such situations which is useful.
Support from colleagues also play a part in helping to acknowledge the death of a loved one. With permission, team members can be told to help ease any work pressures.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Stress at work risk assessments play an important part in stress management as it identifies where an employee is at most risk. Management should hold regular meetings with staff most likely to be at risk and require urgent medical attention. A template assessment is available from the Quest Health and Safety Library.
The article is for general information purposes only for further guidance please call our advice-line team on 01455 852028.
