How to Increase Employee Moral After a Death

Adjustment after a coworker's death can be difficult for staff.

Nearly everyone will have to deal with the unfortunate loss of a co-worker during their time as a member of the workforce. Losing a co-worker in any manner is difficult; however, it is often even more emotionally straining if the individual is lost in a sudden or violent fashion. As a leader within your business, you can play a part in assisting staff members in working past the loss, and regaining their cheer and positive outlook. By allowing staff the time necessary, and then engaging them in community development activities, you can both deal with the devastating loss and produce a strong community network within your workplace.

Instructions

1. Allow for mourning time. While some staff members may want to just push past the death, others will need a period of mourning. Pushing staff to accept the death before they are ready will only extend the bereavement process.

2. Accept a temporary drop in productivity. As staff members struggle with the emotions that accompany a death, they will likely temporarily slow down in their productivity. Be understanding and accommodating, expressing to staff members that you share in their feelings of grief over the tragic loss.

3. Listen to staff members. As some staff members struggle through the turbulent waters of grief, they need a supportive shoulder. Make yourself available to these staff members. After a talk with a supportive confidant, they will likely feel a weight lifted off of their chest, and be more able to deal with the passing.

4. Establish a memorial. While you may be eager to move past the death, establishing a memorial can be a helpful practice, as some staff members need this closure. Plant a tree, dedicate a bench or create a plaque in memory of the lost co-worker. After this single gesture of respect, many staff members will be able to move beyond the death and start to heal.

5. Engage staff members in community-building events. Death brings with it a feeling of uncertainty and insecurity. To counterbalance these feelings, work to create a stronger work community. Hold company-wide potlucks, engage staff in an enjoyable contest or hold a cubicle-decorating contest. Do not tie these events directly to the passing of their co-worker, as your staff members do not need another reminder of the event and reminding them again will, in fact, reduce the overall effectiveness of the event by re-opening fresh wounds.

6. Plan out-of-work gatherings. Provide a distraction for staff who may not have a strong support network at home. Offer staff members the opportunity to meet at a local watering hole, take in a movie or grab a bite to eat. While some community members may opt not to participate, others will be grateful for the opportunity to gather with co-workers in a relaxed setting.

7. Recognize employee effort and importance. Upon the death of an acquaintance, many people begin to question the significance of their life. Help employees feel important and assist them in reaching the realization that they do matter by recognizing employee achievement. Hold an award ceremony at which you reward the diligent workers who make such a difference in ensuring business success.

References

• University of Houston Downtown: Grief and Loss - Dealing with Death & Grief in the Workplace
• ABC News: Death in the Workplace - How to Cope