I am sure some of you may be able to relate to this. A friend lost her spouse of 30 years — a profound loss that changed everything in her world. She took five days off, returned to work, and tried to carry on. But soon, she felt the weight of it all. Overwhelmed. Anxious. Numb. And more than anything, she realized something hard: her boss and coworkers didn’t understand.
They didn’t mean to be unkind — they just hadn’t been equipped to get it.
And that’s the quiet truth so many carry: grief doesn’t disappear after a few days. We don’t “move on.” We grow around our grief — slowly and painfully — all while trying to meet deadlines, sit through meetings, and hold ourselves together in spaces that expect normalcy when nothing feels normal anymore.
Far too many employees return to work before they’re emotionally ready because they have no choice. And workplaces, without the right tools or training, often miss the opportunity to support grieving team members in meaningful ways.
That’s why bereavement awareness and grief-informed training in the workplace matters — not just for the sake of compassion, but for the health of employees and the culture of the organization.
Almost a third of people who had been bereaved in the past five years while employed said they were not treated with compassion by their employer. https://hrzone.com/bereavement-at-work-what-is-the-impact-and-what-can-employers-do/Â
When we acknowledge grief in the workplace, we’re not just being empathetic — we’re creating a culture where people feel seen, valued, and supported as they heal.
To those navigating loss and still showing up: I see you. You’re doing more than enough. 🤍
If you’re an employer or team leader, consider what grief-informed support could look like in your space. It truly matters.
➡️ Learning to Live Again Grief and Caregiving Coaching offers personalized support for individuals and teams. One-on-one coaching and customized grief-awareness sessions available for workplace environments.