There’s no such thing as “business as usual” after a tragedy. An accident, a natural disaster, an employee death—they can take an emotional toll. And that means work may take more time while people try to cope.
As an employer or manager, you face your own difficult task. How do you support your employees’ emotional needs and still get the job done? And how do you take care of yourself in the process? Your leadership can help employees return to their normal daily routines, personally and professionally.
Tragedies are unpredictable. They take us by surprise. But when you understand how people tend to respond to them, it’s easier to recognize issues and cope.
After a tragedy, we can experience something called acute stress. Acute stress sends our bodies and brains into survival mode. This can make “normal” activities hard to do. Symptoms of acute stress include:
Acute stress fades over time. But sometimes unexpected events, sights or sounds can remind us of a tragedy. These “emotional landmines” can trigger acute stress reactions months or years after an event.
We all respond to tragedies in our own way. And there are factors that can make a difference in how we cope and how quickly we bounce back. Some of these include:
Once you see your employees need support, it can help to make a plan. So, what works and what doesn’t?
Your workplace demands certain standards. But how can you meet normal business needs when there’s an abnormal situation going on? Consider these tips to see if they work for your organization:
Right after the tragedy
You may be frustrated when employees make mistakes, work more slowly or have a decline in performance. But remember, these might be signs of emotional distress. When you talk to employees about performance issues, try to be sensitive to their emotional state. Find out what kind of support they need and offer resources.
As a manager, you’re not immune to the stress of a tragedy. It’s important that you take time to care for yourself. Good self-care will help you cope with the situation and do a better job of supporting others. Here are some tips:
Share these articles, provided by Aetna Resources For Living, with your managers and employees.
Resource articles
Coping after violence
Coping with community and school violence
Coping with disaster
Coping with an unexpected death
Facing the unknown after a disaster
Healing after an act of violence
Helping children cope with a disaster
Other resources
A tragedy that affects your workplace may be one of your biggest challenges. But you don’t have to go through it alone.
Learn about real-time crisis support servicesIn order to have the best experience on Aetna.com, Javascript needs to be enabled.
Learn how to change your browser settings to enable Javascript.