When Grief and Work Mix, There are No Easy Answers
Just as there isn’t one right way to grieve, there are multiple ways to approach returning to the workplace after the death of a loved one.
A new article in Fortune magazine explores the challenges faced by grieving people at work and why it’s so important that companies develop policies, not only for bereavement, but for handling grief.
“I have often said, despite my misfortune, I had an incredible set of fortunate circumstances happen to me.”
If you knew Nation Hahn’s story, you might be surprised to hear him say these words. In 2013 his wife, Jamie Kirk Hahn, was attacked and killed by their longtime friend. Two years later, at the trial, Hahn testified against that friend, who was sentenced to life in prison. And through it all, as Hahn mourned his wife and made sense of his losses, he was the subject of intense media interest and scrutiny.
The misfortune that Hahn experienced is extreme. Still, he acknowledges his fortune—especially when it comes to work. At the time of his wife’s death, Hahn, then 27, worked at a small design and communications company. His employer didn’t have a bereavement policy “but decided to go all in on creating a safe and supportive space,” Hahn said. He took three months off work, then slowly returned to the office and his duties.
Click here to read the entire article at Fortune.
“We have bereavement policies, but we don’t have grief-in-the-workplace policies, and we should.” Click To TweetThis is a big, important topic. Check out the article at the link and then come back and tell us in the comments what returning to the workplace was/has been like for you.
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