Divorce is contagious...even at work

?Divorce is contagious… and there is no vaccine (until now)

By Vicky Townsend

Divorce Right Inc

Last month was “divorce month.”? Yes, January (particularly the week after the New Year) is when many of your employees research “divorce” on Google.? That’s why we want you to know what happens after they file.?

Divorce can be a difficult and emotionally taxing experience for those going through it. However, research has shown that the effects of divorce can extend beyond just the employee involved and can also impact those around them (meaning your other employees). This phenomenon is known as "divorce contagion."

Divorce contagion refers to the idea that the likelihood of divorce increases among employees with close connections to others who have divorced. This can occur within families, friends, and coworkers.

One study found that the risk of divorce increased by 75% for employees whose friends were divorced and 33% for those whose siblings were divorced. Another study found that the risk of divorce increased by 16% for each additional divorced friend and by 14% for each additional divorced sibling.? I mention this because divorce is expensive for your company, and keeping it contained early can prevent the spread to others in your company.?

One possible explanation for this phenomenon is the idea of "social learning." This is the idea that employees learn from the behavior of those around them and may be more likely to divorce if they see it as a viable option. Social networks may also provide a sense of validation and support for individuals considering divorce.??

Another possible explanation is the idea of "social comparison." This refers to the idea that individuals compare their relationships to those of others and may be more likely to divorce if they perceive their relationships as being less desirable.? This is where the “watercooler” conversations occur about dating, bar hopping, and having a life (real or imagined!) that seems better than their coworkers.??

It's important to note that while divorce contagion is a real phenomenon, it does not mean that divorce is inevitable for those with divorced coworkers, friends, and family members. Rather, it highlights the importance of having a support system that helps every divorcing employee through their divorce EARLY, so that it won’t spread to others in your company.?

So why does this matter? ? Because a person going through divorce loses about 40% of their productivity from absences, distractions,? errors, running in late and leaving early, and presenteeism.? A? once-happy couple, now torn apart, must navigate a minefield of emotions and professional obligations. Colleagues and supervisors are left to pick up the pieces, often needing help with how to handle the situation. Tensions run high as your employee’s personal issues bleed into their professional lives, creating a toxic and unsettling environment for everyone. The once productive and efficient team is now plagued by tension and mistrust, leading to more decline in productivity and morale. The result is an emotionally drained employee suffering financially and a team in chaos.? Divorce in the workplace is not just a personal tragedy but a professional one, so keeping it under control (as well as possible) is not only a good idea for the company but is a good idea for your employees.?

Divorce contagion is a real phenomenon that highlights the impact of divorce on those around us. ? At Divorce Right, we help your employees navigate divorce better. ? We offer HR and leadership training to mitigate the impact of divorce on your company, as well as divorce coaching and case management with over 50 divorce coaches with expertise in many areas of the divorce process.? Our services are incredibly affordable and can save your company hundreds of thousands to millions each year.???

At Divorce Right, we provide HR training, employee divorce coaching, and case management to help you mitigate the financial and emotional impact on your company.? Would you like to find out more?? Message me, and let’s schedule a time to discuss the impact on your bottom line!