Recovering in the workplace after a life changing event can be tough. Getting back into the swing of things and to your life, AKA your new normal, after a significant, personal event is a challenge I’m having to combat now. It’s gotten me thinking about others going through something similar and how they are coping as they return to work.
Unfortunately, my family is dealing with the recent loss of my grandfather after a very long, physically and emotionally draining process. I am fortunate and blessed to work for a woman who cared only to support me through this. She allowed me the time and conversation I needed to maintain my responsibilities as a wife, a mother, a daughter, a grieving granddaughter, her employee and all of the other things I am to those I love and care about. I recognize that this is NOT the norm. Many companies, especially bigger ones, are not like that, don’t aim to be, nor can they be. As HR professionals, we live by a mantra of consistency is key. The Company Handbook is our working Bible. It tells us how to handle these situations, how to make sure everyone is treated equally and how to stay within the confines of the law. While I believe in consistency, I’m beginning to wonder if we are doing our employees and the culture of our businesses a disservice by treating many of these circumstances as if the solution is the white and black print in our company manuals.
Death, birth, marriage, divorce…times of transitions, good or bad, change us. This world has become dependent on prescriptions, liquid courage and other things to survive these times, but if we were just given the proper time and conversation to LIVE through these things instead of just finding ways to SURIVIVE them, wouldn’t everyone involved be better off?
Certainly, we have businesses to run and profits to turn, but to all those who manage people, what @LaTashiaMartin has taught me through my own personal transition to a “New Normal” is that I don’t need a script or a bad habit to deal with the natural progressions of life. I just needed some time, an open ear, and some good advice. We all have our burdens and our blessings, but if we support each other with kindness and compassion, we could live fuller lives instead of just surviving the times.
R.I.P Papa. I love you like crazy.
By Jamie Kempski, Talent Partner
VonSwy Solutions LLC, www.vonswy.com
(716) 508-0664
info@vonswy.com
