Your team has lost a colleague during the COVID-19 pandemic and, as a manager, you are being asked to figure out how to support your employees. Everyone, including you, is upset and it is difficult to know what to do and where to turn. The counseling staff at CompEAP, your Employee Assistance Program, is available 24/7 to offer expert advice on how to negotiate this challenge.
When you have learned that someone on your team has died, you will likely be flooded with a wide range of emotions. You may feel shock, disbelief, sadness and even worry about how to share this information with your colleagues. You may be concerned about your health and the wellbeing of your employees. Additionally, you may wonder how your team will function in the coming days, weeks and beyond.
The first step is to pause from your regular responsibilities and gather the resources to support yourself and your colleagues. We recommend calling CompEAP and taking the following steps:
- Give yourself a few moments to absorb the news and grieve. You may cry, call a family member or friend, talk with a colleague or be alone for a few minutes.
- Reach out to your Human Resources department to discuss what information can be shared with employees. Consult the guidelines set forth by the CDC, Department of Labor, and The Equal Opportunity Commission
- If possible, call a meeting with the team either in person or via remote access. Share what is legally permitted and ensure the team that you will keep them informed of other essential details as they unfold.
- Be sure that other employees within the organization are informed of the loss.
- Anticipate that many of your employees will also be in shock and may even cry when you share the news. Your role is to acknowledge the sadness, communicate relevant information and let them know about support resources offered by the organization. This is a wonderful time to remind employees about CompEAP, the Employee Assistance Program.
- Keep lines of communication open and fluid; encourage employees to speak openly with one another about how they are feeling and coping.
- Some employees may request to take some time away from work; others may find work a useful distraction. Check in with each team member individually to find out what they need and what the organization can accommodate.
- If possible, arrange for CompEAP to run a grief group for the team via remote access. This will give everyone an opportunity to grieve together and will let your employees know that you care about how they are managing.
As the days pass, and with the family’s permission, your team should be kept up to date on any funeral or memorial plans. With social gathering at a standstill, this may be news that a memorial service will be held later in the summer or fall. Some members of the team may want to reach out to the family directly, others may feel more comfortable with a group gesture. Some ideas include:
- Send a card, flowers or gift basket to the employee’s family on behalf of the team
- Create a webpage or electronic document with memories of the deceased to share with the family
- Make a donation in memory of the deceased employee on behalf of the team
- Prepare and drop off food at the family’s home or have a meal delivered from a local restaurant
- Establish a memorial fund in the employee’s name
Remember that each one of your employee’s had a unique relationship with the deceased, including you. Some things that are important to do as the team moves forward include the following:
- Get individual support for yourself by calling CompEAP or using your support network.
- Check in with staff regularly.
- Keep the lines of communication open with members of your team. Share information as needed, particularly as it relates to COVID-19 and possible infection of colleagues.
- Recognize that some employees may be more impacted than others and model respect for individual responses.
We are all managing a wide range of emotions related to COVID and the impact this pandemic is having on our lives. Please remember that you are not alone and we are here to help.
