Michelle lost her sister. It was expected. This doesn’t make it any easier to cope with. She tries to stay focused at work, but doesn’t always succeed. Her manager reaches out with a comforting message, to let her know the company is here for her. Michelle has a long journey ahead … but she knows she’s not alone.
Death, and subsequent grief, are the hardest life events to talk about. Still, they are among the most important for any employee. This is an important opportunity for employee engagement, albeit a difficult one.
An employee sympathy gift can have huge impact, an employee recognition touch that will be noticed by others. Just as grief is very individual, there’s no one-size-fits-all for ideas for memorial gifts. Doing something, though, is better than nothing. Need more guidance? Our free e-book, “You and Your Grieving Co-Worker,” offers a roadmap for navigating this difficult time.

Tips for Bereavement at Work
As an employer, you face a difficult task responding to a tragedy in an employee’s life. You might wonder how to respond. You want to be there for them, while not getting too close. An appropriate balance exists.