Employee Well-being: Recognizing Signs of Divorce in the Workplace

Let's face it.? On its very best day, divorce is horrible, and depending on your employee, it can not only have a significant impact on them, but it can (and does) impact your company.? While this article is long, my aim is to give you a resource you can use when evaluating whether someone in your company may be going through a divorce.? I tried to do it in bite-sized chunks so you can get through it easily.

Let’s start here: Studies from Personnel Psychology and Family Innovations show that employees lose up to 40% of their productivity from between 3-5 years!? I know, I know, eye roll on the loss of productivity…every benefit company talks about that, but something you need to know; divorce is the ending of a LEGAL contract, so there are some really bad implications to your employee for not doing many of the obligations they MUST do to get through it. This is why it is CRITICAL to get them support as soon as you start to see the signs.? We have listed quite a few below but there may be others.

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Decline in Job Performance:

???????? Let’s be honest. Divorce can take a toll on an individual's concentration and focus, leading to a decline in job performance. You should monitor performance metrics and identify any noticeable declines. Frequent errors, missed deadlines, and increased distractions from answering calls from attorneys or managing documentation may indicate the need for additional support, temporary workload adjustments, or counseling resources.? This is the best (and only) way you should think about having a conversation with your employee about any personal life challenges they may be facing.? By bringing their attention to their loss of productivity with empathy,? you open the doors for a more honest conversation, allowing you to get them the support they so desperately need.

?Increased Absences:

???????? Employees undergoing a divorce face legal obligations and challenges, resulting in increased absences related to mandatory court appearances and attorney meetings. You should be cognizant of these absences and consider implementing flexible scheduling or remote work options to alleviate the impact on the employee's professional life. ?Divorce can require adjustments to childcare schedules, affecting an employee's availability and work routine. You should be aware of these changes and collaborate with employees to find suitable solutions, such as modified work hours or assistance programs for childcare support. We’ve worked with companies that offer Reduced Workload and Compressed Work Week options.? If it is something that your company offers, remind them of it. If not, it may be something to consider.

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Distractions:

???????? Another thing you should know; Divorce is a Monday - Friday 9AM-5PM industry.? The divorce process involves numerous legal responsibilities, including answering calls from attorneys and managing documentation and evidence. These distractions can affect an employee's focus at work.?

Presenteeism:

???????? During a divorce, your employee is worried about EVERYTHING! Not only the legal process but “Will i lose my house?” "Will I lose my job?”? “WILL I LOSE MY KIDS?” This can lead to reduced productivity and engagement. Foster a culture of open communication, encouraging employees to express their concerns and providing support through your EAP plan (if available) and divorce support through Divorce Right, to help them through it.?

Increased Sick Leave and Stress-related Illnesses:

???????? The stress associated with divorce can compromise the immune system, resulting in increased sick leave due to stress-related illnesses.? Promote employee wellness, offering stress management resources, mental health support, and flexible sick leave policies to help employees cope during challenging times.?

Resignations:

???????? Approximately 10% of divorcing employees may choose to resign due to the overwhelming challenges they face.? Here are a few of the reasons they quit;

???????? #1-? They felt unsupported and uncared for at work.? You know the conversation “Leave your divorce at HOME!”? Well, now that you know divorce is a 9-5 Mon-Fri industry, you can see how that can be really difficult.?

???????? #2- They can’t find affordable housing near the office.? Going from two incomes to one creates considerable challenges. When you work with one of our many divorce specialists, we support your employee by crafting a carefully written settlement statement that can get them up to 20% more buying power, so your employee is more likely to stay.?

???????? #3- Affordable childcare - They can’t find it!? So, assistance in that area would be helpful, including working with a childcare center in your area to provide a discount to your employees,? a stipend for childcare or even having a childcare center in your own building.

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???????? You need to be aware of these resignation trends and engage with employees, offering support, and exploring out of the box retention strategies to mitigate the impact of divorce on workforce stability.

Impact on Team Dynamics:

???????? Divorce can influence team dynamics, potentially leading to conflicts or strained relationships among colleagues. All of the things listed above impact the team's ability to work together to produce a product or meet a deadline. This is yet another reason to intervene early.? I know, I know, I keep saying that, but it’s never been truer than with a divorce.

Behavioral Changes:

???????? Atypical emotional outbursts, crying at their desks or in the bathroom, and disengagement. (see impact on team dynamics above)? These are just a few of the changes divorcing employees may exhibit. Be on the lookout for increased stress levels, mood swings, or a decline in overall enthusiasm. Abrupt changes in work habits, such as decreased productivity or absenteeism, (see above) may indicate your employee is going through something significant. You should approach these changes with empathy and offer a supportive environment for open communication.

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Changes in Personal Appearance and Hygiene:

???????? Divorce can significantly impact an individual's mental and emotional well-being, often showing up? in changes in personal appearance and hygiene. We have worked with employees who, quite literally, couldn’t get off of their couch to get to work, and showering and creating the perfect hairdo is not on their list of abilities at that time.?? With some support, direction and guidance, they can find their way out of that confusion and depression. You should be observant of any sudden or drastic alterations in grooming habits, attire, or overall self-care. A subtle inquiry into the employee's well-being may open the door for them to share their situation.

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Changes in Social Interactions:

???????? Divorce can impact an employee's social interactions within the workplace. Look for signs of withdrawal from team activities, avoidance of social gatherings, or strained relationships with colleagues.

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One thing I must add; you must ensure that the workplace remains compliant with legal requirements regarding employee rights during divorce. Familiarity with relevant regulations, such as Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions, can aid in providing the appropriate accommodations and support to employees facing divorce-related challenges. Check with your legal counsel for more information.

I hope you can see why I keep saying you need to intervene early.? The sooner your employee has support and guidance the sooner those signs will disappear.? But, recognizing the signs of an employee going through a divorce requires a delicate balance of empathy and professionalism. You? play a pivotal role in creating a workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being. By identifying and addressing the signs early on, organizations can offer the necessary support and resources to help employees navigate challenging personal crises while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.?

We are Divorce Right and we are here to help.? With more than 70 professional Certified Divorce Coaches on our team, each with their own specialty, we can give your employees the support, guidance and a plan for the road ahead.?

Click here to schedule a call with our team to see if adding our affordable suite of services for your employees is good for your company and for your employees’ well-being.

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