Compassionate Return to Work
We need to support our colleagues returning to work with their grief.
On November 4 and 5, I hosted our twice-a-year event, Our Big Ideas, which features ideas to improve the personal caregiving experience. I shared an idea for a Compassionate Return to Work program.
After a significant family event, like a family member’s change in health status or death, we return to work with heavy emotions. We may find it difficult to talk about our experiences with colleagues and may be exhausted from these personal events. Yet, we must work to provide for our families. With a Compassionate Return to Work, employees receive support and tools to manage their emotions and their work responsibilities.
Toward the end of our discussion about the idea, attendees asked me to create a resource with suggested words to use to support the grieving colleague. Their request reiterated to me the need to also help employees who want to support their colleagues. I created tips that can help, which you can access via the Resources section below.
Watch the presentation of my idea, below, and listen to the conversation inspired by the idea. Please add your insights or ideas in our comments section below our list of Resources.
Resources
Tips to Be the Compassionate Colleague Who Supports the Grieving Colleague
Download our Words of Comfort Flyer which offers words you can use.
To gain confidence in your skills, you can enroll in our Master Class: The Art of Listening for $47 to become a Listening Artist to create the beautiful music of listening.
(Image by Andrew Lloyd Gordon from Pixabay)