My Staff Shop’s Post

💔 Grief Awareness Week: Building a Workplace Culture of Compassion Supporting employees during bereavement is not only the right thing to do—it’s an essential part of creating a caring workplace culture. Grief affects us all differently, and as an SME leader, your approach can make a lasting impact. While policies like bereavement leave may seem administrative, they play a vital role in providing stability and empathy during employees’ toughest times. Here’s how to lead with compassion: 👉 Clarity is kindness: Ensure bereavement leave entitlements are clear and accessible. Paid vs unpaid? Flexible arrangements? Be upfront. 👉 Listen and adapt: Everyone grieves differently. Create space for open conversations to tailor support to individual needs. 👉 Put it in writing: Written agreements avoid misunderstandings and show your commitment to transparency. 👉 Foster a culture of care: A supportive workplace can offer solace and stability when grief feels overwhelming. By prioritising clear, compassionate policies, you show your employees they’re valued—especially when it matters most. 💬 Read more about how Clover HR is advocating for compassionate leadership during Grief Awareness Week: https://lnkd.in/dSztYZdh #GriefAwarenessWeek #Leadership #SMEs

This week is Grief Awareness Week, which is an important topic for employers. It is likely that at some point you will have employees who experience loss, and as such will be grieving. You will want to support these members of your team as best you can, but it can be difficult to know how as everyone will grieve differently. For example, you may find one person who is grieving requests time off, whereas another person will want to be in work and welcome the distraction. As with anything in the area of Human Resources, communication is key. Make it clear that you are there for support, and ask how you can best do so. It is also important to balance the awareness of differing needs and supporting employees individually with maintaining consistency – although no two employees may need the same support, it is important that the same choices are offered to keep a fair approach. This is also important as grief is not a linear path and as such anyone experiencing grief may find their feelings changing – for example the person throwing themselves into work in the beginning may find themselves wanting time to process further down the line. Keep lines of communication open, be clear about what you can offer in terms of support, and ensure that all employees in the same position are offered the same options. If you find yourself unsure of how to best support your team through grief or other life changes, or any other Human Resources issue, it can help to get some expert advice. We at PrivilegeHR are here to support you, so you can support them. #griefawarenessweek #griefawareness

Grief is a journey, one that often feels like a body of water—sometimes it gently laps at my feet, and other times, it threatens to drown me. From the loss of our sons in utero to the death of my biological father, other family members, and, more recently, an ex, all of my grief is interconnected. Each loss has shaped me, and as I age, I know more loss will come. Working for a company like SAP, which understands that grief is part of the employee experience, has been a source of comfort. SAP's Grief Counseling Network, as highlighted in an internal powerful article, offers support to employees navigating grief—whether it's through one-on-one counseling, guidance for managers, or creating spaces to honor those lost. The article features an SAP colleague who shares how SAP grief counseling provided a safe space to process his unimaginable loss. This kind of support—where grief is acknowledged and given room to exist—is something I deeply value at SAP. It's why I’m proud to work here. If you're grieving, or supporting someone who is, it's important to know that you're not alone. Grief changes us, but we can grow around it, finding new ways to move forward while carrying our memories with us. #SAPproud #GriefSupport #MentalHealthMatters #EmployeeWellBeing #GriefJourney #SupportingEachOther

💔 Imagine dedicating years to your job, but when a close death occurs, your workplace offers no support, and your colleagues stay silent—leaving you isolated. All while grieving. This isn’t a hypothetical—it’s the reality for many employees & co-workers today. The 2024 New York Life Foundation State of Grief Report reveals just how much more we can do: 🖤 Only 47% of employees received paid time off for bereavement 🖤 64% said their workplace offers NO grief support training. 🤝 71% are eager to take voluntary grief support training to help colleagues. 🙂 85% said they’d be proud to work for a company that’s committed to being grief-supportive. Do these stats align with what you're seeing and experiencing out there? Grief doesn’t pause when employees enter the office. The need for proper support is real, and at Bereave, we're already partnering with companies to meet it head-on.

Grief is exhausting…. Each day can feel a struggle, drained by the weight of loss. The relentless pain can wear you down completely. Even when we go back to work, grief doesn’t clock off. Because we go back to doing normal routines this does not mean we are ok! Imagine a workplace with a bereavement advocate, a helpline, and resources to support you. By investing in a bereavement framework, companies can make a profound difference in their employees' lives. Training bereavement advocates and providing resources would ensure employees feel heard, seen, and valued. Grief never leaves; it may be less sharp somedays, less messy some days, but it never leaves. This support can boost morale, increase loyalty, and enhance overall well-being. #workplacebereavement #bereavement #workplacewellbeing

Bereavement in the workplace. This is an excellent article & graphic about working while grieving. How I wish more employers in the US would recognize and help their grieving workers. Is there room in capitalism for this change? #grief #grieving #bereavement #work #capitalism #riveterchallenge

🌍 Break the Silence on Grief! As we kick off Dying Matters Week tomorrow! let's shine a light on the often overlooked topic of grief especially in the workplace. SHARE a pic or video Join us as we flip our grief hearts upside down, signifying hope and resilience. Let's stand together as bereaved warriors, breaking the stigma surrounding grief—even if it makes others uncomfortable. Together, let's make a difference. Let’s fill our socials Tag us Workplace Bereavement tag your loved ones, and let's make a difference together. 💙 #workplacebereavement #BreakTheSilence #GriefAwareness #DyingMattersWeek

National Grief Awareness Week is a good time to consider those on your team who are missing loved ones this holiday season. As I navigate the first family gatherings without my mom, I’m reminded that people often don’t know what to do or say when a colleague is grieving during the holidays. If you struggle with those situations, here are a few suggestions: 🎁Don’t try to avoid the topic. Let them know you're thinking about them in a way that demonstrates care and empathy for thier loss. 🎁Acknowledge that this holiday season will likely be different. Support their need to do what feels right to them, including not participating in gatherings and long-standing traditions. 🎁Listen if/when they share memories. Hold space for those memories. Honor them. And don’t be too quick to change the subject, even when the emotions flow. 🎁Reconsider giving advice. While you might want to encourage positive thoughts, #grief counseling or self-care, what might be most helpful is to let them know that it is ok not to be ok. If you’re #grieving this holiday season, may the memories of your loved one bring you strength, comfort and peace. #workingdaughter #nationalgriefawarenessweek #eldercare #caregiver

I love how practical this article is - actionable advice that creates so many moments of empathetic thoughtfulness.

Grief awareness is a cause that’s deeply personal to me, so I’m heartened to see more conversations happening around meaningful support for employees navigating bereavement. Returning to work after losing someone is a unique and deeply individual journey. For some, it can provide a sense of normality and a path to healing. For others, it can feel overwhelming, even unbearable - sadly that was my experience. How this transition is approached can make a world of difference. It’s not just about policies; it’s about creating understanding, empathy, and flexibility in the workplace. Let’s keep pushing to ensure everyone has the support they need, whatever their path looks like.