Your employees also have their private lives, which cannot always be one hundred percent separated from work. An example can be a situation where a certain personal or family tragedy strikes in the life of one of your employees. Whether it’s an illness, death, divorce or financial problems, as managers you need to be prepared that such a situation may arise and to be able to offer support. The hrcommunication.com website recommends:
You don’t have to say anything
You don’t have to rack your brain about what to say in order to show your sympathy and to help. A friendly touch is sometimes more than words. If you want to express your sympathy in words, but don’t know how, try it in writing. You can even ask a professional to help you with the writing, for example a psychologist.
Offer specific help
Telling the employee that they can turn to you if they need anything is important. But you shouldn’t leave it just at that. Also offer specific assistance, such us cleaning the apartment for an employee who is ill, picking up the groceries, etc.
Listen
People in crisis have a need to describe what they’re experiencing and they do not expect you to immediately start giving them advice on what they’re supposed to do. Let them talk and only offer advice based on your own experience when they ask for it. Also let them know that you appreciate their work and that regardless of what has happened in their private life they are important to you at work and you need them.
Watch out for clichés
Stick to the three points described above and avoid the typical clichés such as “You’ll get over this in time,” “You’re not the only one this has happened to,” “You’ll see that this will make you stronger,” etc.
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