When an employee dies, there is an natural disaster, layoffs, violence or an accident at work HR is on the front lines. Distressed employees look to HR for emotional support and practical answers . The HR professional has to deliver bad news, arrange funeral details and deal with grief stricken employees and family members. HR is also impacted by the event, often has a personal connection with the affected employee and needs to manage their own reactions to trauma. Caught up in the windstorm of trauma it is easy to put everyone else’s needs before your own self-care. Being exposed to the anxieties and reactions of others without attending to self-care increases susceptibility to secondary traumatic stress and impacts effectiveness.
