Global Grief Network logoGGN Grief in the Workplace
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 3 of 6

Leading with Compassion

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. The manager's role
  2. Planning the return
  3. Flexibility
  4. Balancing needs

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

The manager's role

Managers set the tone. A manager who reaches out, acknowledges the loss, and explains available leave and support shows the whole team that grief is met with care here.

Planning the return

Before someone returns, a short private conversation can help: What would you like the team to know? Would you like a gradual return? Are there tasks you would like covered for a while?

Flexibility

Options might include a phased return, flexible hours, temporarily shifting demanding tasks, time off for services or estate matters, and understanding around anniversaries. Policies vary, so check what your organization offers.

Balancing needs

Teams still have work to do. Being honest about priorities while temporarily sharing the load is fair to everyone. Thank team members who step up.

GGN reminder: Compassionate leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about checking in, listening, and adjusting where you can.
GGN practiceA return conversation (about 15 minutes)

Write the questions you would ask a team member before they return from bereavement leave. Keep them open, private, and focused on what would help. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 3.1: A gradual return

After her partner died, Rosa's manager offered her shorter days for her first two weeks back and moved a big client presentation to a colleague.

Questions to consider:

  1. How might this have helped Rosa?
  2. What else could her manager do?

Discussion: The changes gave Rosa time to adjust without pressure. Her manager could also check in after a month, mark the anniversary on the calendar, and remind Rosa of the employee assistance program if available.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What would you want from a manager after a loss?
  2. What flexibility is possible in your workplace?
  3. How can you share workload fairly during a team member's grief?

Module 3 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.