Responding to the untimely death of an employee

The untimely death of a co-worker can have devastating effects on an organization. According to The Grief Recovery Institute, lost productivity as a result of the death of employees, friends and family costs American business $7 billion annually.

To reduce the impact of an employee death on the workplace, keep the following points in mind:

• Act promptly. It is important that the information surrounding an employee’s death come through management rather than percolate through the grapevine.
• Determine circles of relationship and notify each circle appropriately. First inform those closest to the employee in private settings, perhaps individually. Notify other co-workers in small groups or in a department wide meeting.
• Give thought to what you will say. Give careful consideration as to what employees will be told. Be as open as possible while keeping in mind of privacy of the deceased and his or her family.
• Allow co-workers to share their grief. Perhaps they can get together during lunch or to discuss their feelings about, and memories of, their deceased co-worker. A memorial service in the workplace might be appropriate. A permanent tribute, such as naming a company event, room, or award after the deceased, might also help employees deal with their grief.
• Contact customers and vendors. Inform all those outside the organization who did business with the deceased regarding the death. Depending on the circumstances, this might be done in person, over the telephone, or via email. Assure them that the company will continue to value the relationship and that a new contact has been identified.
• Provide grief counseling. Employees should be provided access to grief counselors in necessary either through the organization’s EAP or by contracted therapists.
• Expect a period of mourning. Realize that different employees will respond to the death differently. Be sensitive and respectful of those individuals who require a period of time to complete the grieving process.

This blog post is provided by Allen Miller and Business Advantage International. For assistance in dealing with human resources issues including organization effectiveness, training, compensation, and compliance, call Allen at 801.444.9919.