Learning About Grief in the Workplace
Workshop Offers Resources, Tips to Recognize Signs of Grief
You can never predict when someone who works with you might suffer loss — and the grief that accompanies it.
"Grief in the Workplace: Helping Employees Cope with End-of-Life and Other Loss Issues" is a free, three hour class for managers and supervisors offered through Duke Human
Resources Learning & Organization Development. The next class is 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 24.
"I took this course when it was first offered because I know that grief can be one of the hardest issues to deal with as a supervisor," said Sally Allison, manager of Duke's
Professional Development Institute. "Grief and loss come in so many different ways."
Employees most commonly experience grief through the death of someone close to them. However, other significant losses such as separation, divorce, loss of health, or death
of a beloved pet can also give rise to grief reactions.
Grief is expressed physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The effects of grief in the workplace range from absenteeism, to errors on the job, to substance and
alcohol abuse. Managers and supervisors can effectively confront this issue by learning to recognize signs and symptoms of grief, exploring strategies for responding in a caring
way, and knowing about resources, workplace policies and procedures, and referral programs.
"It was important for me to learn specific strategies for working with employees," Allison said. "As a supervisor, dealing with grief means you have to go past your comfort level
in order to support the department or the individual. A class like this makes it easier little less daunting."
Enrollment is limited, managers and supervisors must register for the class online. Call 684-4750 for more information.
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