Managing Sudden Loss

Abstract

Managers often face tough, emotional situations at work. One of the biggest is guiding employees and departments successfully through the loss of a coworker. Not only are there emotional components but there are also more technical and procedural responsibilities that may be overlooked. These facilities, technological, and human resources tasks need to be handled sensitively and in a timely manner. Remembering whom to contact, what property needs to be considered, and how to produce final paychecks are just a few of the concerns managers will face in a trying time. This guide aims to serve as a checklist of the basic components and tasks managers will face after the sudden loss of an employee.

KEYWORDS:

• management
• grief
• death
• human resources

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Coby Condrey, Laurel Crawford, Jennifer Duvernay, Jennifer Knievel, Mac MacKechnie, Shaureece Park, Cathy Sassen, and Stacey Wolf for insight, anecdotes, and assistance with considerations.