Does your organisation have space where people can go to be quiet and alone?
WE ALL NEED SPACE
There are many situations at work when this can be useful.
I am particularly interested in supporting people who are grieving, but there are many other times when you might want to go somewhere quiet, such as:
- during periods of overwhelm
- when facing a difficult relationship issue
- when struggling with mental health.
In my research into grief at work, I was touched by the answers one respondent gave me about how organisation's approach...
WE ALL NEED SPACE
There are many situations at work when this can be useful.
I am particularly interested in supporting people who are grieving, but there are many other times when you might want to go somewhere quiet, such as:
- during periods of overwhelm
- when facing a difficult relationship issue
- when struggling with mental health.
In my research into grief at work, I was touched by the answers one respondent gave me about how organisation's approach...
"I was liable to burst into tears but confined this to the lady's loos and not my desk. There were no quiet areas in the office to go to so the loos were the only choice.
I don't think the company had a bereavement policy - by the way, this wasn't a small organisation but the Head Office of a FTSE100."
WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU SENDING?
If a large organisation can't give their employees a quiet space in which to recover and regroup, then what message are they giving? They are telling their people that they don't matter, that they are expected to be automota, and that emotions can only be felt outside of working hours.
It's when we don't talk about grief and bereavement, and don't acknowledge their impact on us, and on grieving colleagues, that the problems caused by grief get worse.
THE VALUE OF RESPECTING GRIEVING STAFF'S SPACE
Grief affects confidence, competence, productivity, relationships, physical health, mental health and your ability to give your best. An organisation that treats its grieving staff compassionately is not being soft, or weak. In fact, supporting grieving staff can have a direct positive impact on the bottom line, as staff who feel well cared for at their most difficult times will return to full productivity quicker, and will be more loyal to their organisations.
Madeleine Allen is a human leader in a corporate world. She delivers training in Soft Skills with Hard Benefits, enabling leaders to be compassionate AND profitable.
I don't think the company had a bereavement policy - by the way, this wasn't a small organisation but the Head Office of a FTSE100."
WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU SENDING?
If a large organisation can't give their employees a quiet space in which to recover and regroup, then what message are they giving? They are telling their people that they don't matter, that they are expected to be automota, and that emotions can only be felt outside of working hours.
It's when we don't talk about grief and bereavement, and don't acknowledge their impact on us, and on grieving colleagues, that the problems caused by grief get worse.
THE VALUE OF RESPECTING GRIEVING STAFF'S SPACE
Grief affects confidence, competence, productivity, relationships, physical health, mental health and your ability to give your best. An organisation that treats its grieving staff compassionately is not being soft, or weak. In fact, supporting grieving staff can have a direct positive impact on the bottom line, as staff who feel well cared for at their most difficult times will return to full productivity quicker, and will be more loyal to their organisations.
Madeleine Allen is a human leader in a corporate world. She delivers training in Soft Skills with Hard Benefits, enabling leaders to be compassionate AND profitable.
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