Because illness and grief take place at the confluence of our personal and professional lives, any action taken -- or not taken -- can affect both the workplace and the community.
The stakes are high: Employees or professional associates who feel well supported during times of illness or grief, tend to be loyal, appreciative, and empathic in the aftermath. (In other words, they tend to give as they've received.) On the other hand, professional abandonment during time of need often leads to interpersonal wounding, a lack of team cohesiveness, and a destructive work environment.
For these reasons -- and because it's the right thing to do -- most organizations and professional associations seek to craft a compassionate response to employees and associates who experience illness or grief. To create a program or policy for compassionate outreach, an organization should consider the following:
How much compassionate outreach in the workplace is justified? Or distracting? Is there such a thing as too much help? Or not enough? What sorts of comments are helpful - or hurtful - to say? What kind of outreach is most beneficial - to the person affected, to their families? To fellow-workers and colleagues? How can professional associates demonstrate compassion-in-action in a way that is at once helpful and respectful? And finally, how can a system of care be simple and heartfelt, yet organized and systematic?
While many businesses offer access to professional or community counseling for those directly affected by illness and grief, such counseling does not address the needs of co-workers or associates. They, too, are affected by the illness and grief of a friend or associate, though not directly. They, too, worry:
What I should say? What should I do? How should I communicate solidarity and concern to a colleague, while at the same time maintaining some semblance of a professional demeanor?
Consoling Communities Services:
- Consoling Communities offers confidential consultations to businesses, organizations, and associations concerning how best to support a colleague or co-worker who is seriously ill or grieving.
- We assist individuals and organizations in crafting networks of care for a professional associate or co-worker; we also facilitate work groups and professional associates in how to pitch in and make a positive difference in the life of a friend or co-worker in need.
- Consoling Communities offers seminars, facilitated group discussions, and workplace retreats which are tailor-made for the health-related or grief-related needs of a particular organization.
- Businesses, organizations, or associations who seek more information about our replicable, easy-to-implement program to 'Create a Consoling Community,' are welcome to call our offices at 206-366-2715, or contact us via email at info@consolingcommunities.com.
- For a listing of educational offerings, please refer to Educational Presentations.
- For immediate information on practical ways to help an associate or co-worker during illness or grief, please refer to Community Outreach: Supportive Resources for Friends and Colleagues.
