| Written by Veronica Rolfes, on 10-09-2007 13:04 |
Working Through Tragedy
Work can often be a trying place to be on good days, let alone on difficult days. Find out how to cope with going to work during the dark times in life.
Tragedy affects us all at some point in our lives, whether it is
personal, such as a death in the family or national tragedies like
9/11. In either case, it is important to know how to cope with the
issue so that you can keep a well-balanced and healthy workplace.
The important thing to remember for both employees and management is
that everyone copes differently. Some people are extremely open about
the catastrophe in their lives, some keep their emotions locked up
inside, while others resort to other outlets such as alcohol or drugs.
It is crucial to deal with the event in a safe way and prevent any
unhealthy actions. Having an action plan for events such as 9/11 or
Katrina is just as vital as having a fire evacuation plan. The same
thing goes for personal tragedies —people need to know where they can
go for help and what they need to do.
September is recognized as National Preparedness Month, with the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) promoting the “Ready” campaign.
According to DHS, the campaign encourages Americans to be prepared for
emergencies of any nature, at work, home, school or personal and
national.
So what can you do when the unfortunate happens? Here are some pointers for a company as a whole and the individual:
Have a Plan and Practice It
This helps people know what to do and how to react when an emergency
happens and can prepare you for steps you can/need to take when
something bad happens.
Give People Information
In the case of a national emergency, it is helpful to have televisions
and radios on hand to keep everyone informed. For personal
emergencies, give co-workers and families contact information so they
can get in touch in with you if something should arise.
Give Them a Break
People need time to grieve and overcome the tragedy in their lives.
Allowing them to cope with the situation in a timely manner prevents
mistakes and errors on the job and allows them to come back to work
more productive. Don’t expect a co-worker or employee to come back
refreshed as if they were on vacation.
Talk About It
Arrange a meeting, designate a time of day for group sessions or reserve a quiet room for people to go and share their thoughts.
Distribute Literature
Make Employee Assistance Program information part of your orientation,
keep pamphlets in visible, easily accessible areas, hang posters, etc.
Know what your options are and what’s available before an emergency
happens.
Do Something
If a co-worker’s family member died, send flowers for the service,
arrange a group to volunteer for a national crisis, hold a raffle for
donations or charity — people like to help and being a part of
something, and doing so often assists with the healing process.
Know the Signs
Tragedies can be an emotional rollercoaster for us. We typically go
into shock at first, then a feeling of “unreality” kicks in. You might
not sleep well, you have a loss of appetite, you are constantly in a
daze — these are all signs that your body is trying to heal itself from
the shock. Understand that these symptoms are normal and it is
important to take time to grieve so that your body can get back to its
old self.
Practicing these and other options helps everyone feel safe and
prepares you for when tragedy hits. Being proactive and knowing what
to do when your life is turned upside down helps you get right-side up
without any more unnecessary burdens.
For more information on your company’s action plans, contact your Human
Resources or security department. For additional information on the
DHS plan and the “Ready” campaign for your business or family, visit http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm and http://www.ready.gov.
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