How to Support Your Employees After the Mass Shooting in Orlando

For many of us, we will return to work and press on with life. But sadly, there are over 100 lives that will not be at their desk or in their office here in Orlando - that number does not include the family members that are also affected.  All of the names haven’t been released yet, so these tips may be helpful in the days to come.

1.      Send an email to the entire organization and ask if anyone was directly affected by this weekend’s events. In the email, delegate a HR contact who they can go to for additional support. Do NOT refer them to the HR dept, it’s most critical to be intentional and specific in any “compassion action”.

2.      Contact the family, or emergency contact of the victim – again, give them a direct contact to someone in HR. That HR person should have all of the benefits information at their fingertips to answer any questions.

3.      Bring in grief counselors twice a week for at least the next two weeks. Create a safe space, i.e. a conference room, where coworkers can gather together to express themselves and not feel alone. Ask the counselors to provide helpful resources on managing grief.

4.      Find a way to honor the person who is hospitalized/deceased. There are several ideas you can discuss collectively with your team. If you need guidance on this, feel free to contact me for suggestions.

Click here to continue reading tips 5-10.

The most important thing to remember at this time is it is your responsibility to create a safe and supportive work environment, NOT your EAP (Employee Assistance Program).  Your executive team, managers, supervisors, and colleagues should be mindful, intentional and helpful during this time. 

I am offering free workshops to companies who have been affected by the recent mass shooting in Orlando.  Contact me for more helpful tips on how to impart practical empathy in your organization.