How managers can help employees ease back to work after the floods

Business Wire, Jan 16, 1995

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 1995--Much more has been destroyed as a result of the rising flood waters than possessions and real estate. People's sense of safety, well-being and normalcy has been washed away as well.

How will these people cope when it is time to return to work? Personnel Decisions Inc., experts who specialize in managing worker stress, offer the following advice to managers:

Understand employees may not be able to give work their full attention.

Many will be involved with home repairs, insurer negotiations and handling grief long after the flood waters have receded. Do not expect employees to dive right in and make up for lost time. Prioritize what really needs to be done and discuss with them how the work can be managed to get the company back on track.

Organize a support group.

Employees may still be grieving their losses. They may need to talk about their experiences with fellow employees. If possible, provide access to outside resources for emotional as well as practical support.

Don't say, "It could have been worse."

Although a person's loss may not be big in the overall scheme of things, from their perspective it is devastating. Acknowledge the feeling or the reaction of the employee and offer support, even if it's just saying. "I know this is a disappointment for you."

Personnel Decisions Inc. is a firm of organizational psychologists and consultants specializing in the assessment-based development of managers and organizations.

CONTACT: Personnel Decisions Inc., Minneapolis

Gwen Stucker, 612/349-0704

or

Mona Meyer McGrath & Gavin, Minneapolis

Noelle Kotecki, 612/832-5000