Employers / Colleagues
Colleagues
Express your sympathy / condolences; its okay to acknowledge what has happened and express your sympathy for the family, the worst thing you can do is carry on like nothing has happened
Realize they may need to talk about this at work; every one grieves in their own private way. Some people retreat into their private shells, whereas others have a need to discuss what is happening. When a victim of homicide returns to work, they have less ability to discuss things with their family, therefore be prepared that they may need to share their worries with colleagues.
Realize it may be in the newspaper; your colleagues’ grief is no longer private, therefore it may appear in the newspaper or in other media particularly following the crime itself, and around the time of court proceedings. You might like to reconsider how you allow the media into your workplace at these times, for example, choose to have a CD playing rather than the radio.
Continue to think of them around significant events; such as Christmas or Mothers/Fathers Day. These can be troubling times made worse by the celebrations going on around them. Remember its okay to ask them how they are going around these times.
Consider donating your leave; you may wish to donate some of your leave to your colleague as a practical way of giving your support.
Supervisors
Think outside the box for ways in which you can support; for example, offering paid compassionate leave, or unconditional paid or unpaid leave, alternatively you might like to organize counselling for your team member and/or other members of their family.
Consider a change of duties; whilst someone experiencing bereavement is often able to return to work, they may face difficulties to resuming their prior duties. For example, someone previously employed in sales, might struggle to display the same level of energy and enthusiasm required for this industry. You may like to talk to your team-member about modifying their work duties or hours in the short term.
Let them know its okay to take time off; QHVSG often finds that families feel extremely guilty asking for time off. Remember, the need for time off is a completely reasonable one given the tragic circumstances they are facing. Acknowledge to your employee that it is okay for them to take time away from work. Consider also that families often don’t have answers to your questions such as ‘how much time will you need off’?” Or “will you need time off again down the track?”
Realize that your employee’s life has taken a dramatic turn; a homicide is a significant life trauma and they will need time to adjust to this. The legal proceedings themselves may take up to three or more years to complete, during which the family’s life will be caught up in media, investigations, and winding up financial or custody matters. Whilst this is disruptive to both your employee’s life and you as an employer, acknowledgement of the issue and a resolution to work on solutions together should ease this process for both parties.
Realize that colleagues may be affected to, or might want to do something to show their combined support, i.e. fundraise for the family, and wear a black armband on a certain day to show their respect or plant a tree in their memory.
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