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Managing a Trauma in the
Workplace
May
2010
Coping with a workplace trauma can be one of the most challenging events
you and your team have to face. But while the event itself is difficult
enough, the residual effects can be longer lasting if not handled effectively.
Getting things back to “normal” is no easy feat, but a well-prepared
organization plays a critical role in the physical and emotional recovery
of employees.
By understanding the typical responses to a traumatic
event, being able to recognize the signs of trouble
and handling them before they become more serious,
you and your team can work through post-trauma issues.
And while you may never forget the event, you can learn
strategies and tactics to help everyone cope and begin
focusing on the process of moving forward.
What is a Traumatic Event?
A traumatic event involves exposure to an extreme
event that can be emotionally painful, distressful
or shocking and, in some cases, even life-threatening.
These incidents vary in nature and severity and can
happen at work or away from the job. From a natural
disaster, to a robbery, to the loss of a co-worker,
to downsizing or layoffs; traumatic events can have
lasting physical and mental impacts.
Responses to Trauma
Few people are able to walk away from a traumatic
event unaffected. Initial reactions of numbness, shock
and disbelief are common. Everyone reacts in their
own way. Reactions can change from day to day or even
moment to moment. Depending on the type of incident,
some employees may experience:
Denial. In an attempt to forget and
move on, some people try not thinking about the event
and even refuse to talk about it. They may also avoid
the places and people that remind them of the incident
and become more and more isolated. An employee that
throws him or herself into work to stay busy and preoccupied
may be using denial as a coping mechanism.
Intrusive relocation (‘Flashbacks’). A
flashback is when a person can’t stop thinking
about the event and relives the trauma as if it’s
happening all over again. This is often coupled with
emotions and sensory experiences that make it hard
to distinguish between reality and the flashback—which
can be frightening. Some individuals may begin to experience
flashbacks about other traumatic events that occurred
earlier in life.
Fear. An overwhelming feeling of
hopelessness or despair is another common reaction
to trauma. This may mean anxiety about the future,
being consumed by thoughts that a similar event could
happen again, or heightened anxiety about the well-being
of loved ones. These feelings of fear can begin to
impact daily life.
Anger. Many people feel intense emotional
anger at the senselessness of a traumatic event and
can start to lash out, act impatient or irritable.
They may become consumed by guilt, place blame on others,
or be angry with themselves.
Depression. A critical incident can
cause overwhelming feelings of grief. When one’s
sense of control is taken away, depression may follow.
This is an expected and common response but in most
cases is short-term and manageable.
Physical Responses
Common physical responses to traumatic
events include: headaches, backaches, stomach problems,
heart palpitations, sleep difficulties, appetite changes,
concentration and memory problems and increased susceptibility
to sickness.
All of these responses are normal and expected coping
mechanisms after a traumatic event, but you should
see continued improvement over time. Otherwise, they
are a cause for concern.
Signs of Trouble
Because each person responds to a trauma differently,
you need to pay attention to individual responses.
Signs that you or another employee may be experiencing
difficulty with the situation include:
- Problems functioning in daily life at home and
at work
- Acting disconnected or emotionally numb
- Severe fear, anxiety or depression
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs, including prescription
drugs
- Terrifying nightmares or flashbacks
Feelings of fear, depression and bad dreams are all
common after a traumatic experience. For most, these
symptoms are short-lived and gradually fade away. However
if the symptoms persist, become all-consuming and
do not seem to improve over time, professional help
may be needed to deal with what may have developed
into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This anxiety
condition can take weeks and even months to develop
and symptoms continue to get worse for months or even
years with no signs of improvement. Without professional
help, PTSD can seriously interfere with a person’s
life.
How You Can Help
As a people leader, you should keep a watchful eye
on employees for weeks and even months after a traumatic
incident and be there to reach out and help or direct
someone to needed support. Help employees settle back
into the workplace by:
Providing support. Though it can
sometimes be tempting to block the event out and pretend
it never happened, it’s important to touch base
with employees on an ongoing basis to see how they’re
doing. It also demonstrates that you care for their
well-being. Everyone experiences events in their own
way, so your approach may change depending on the group
or person you’re meeting with. If you suspect
certain employees are not coping well, encourage them
to connect with your Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
or seek professional help.
Being flexible. Realize that your
team’s productivity can and will be affected
by the event. You may need to push back deadlines,
assign projects to a different group or temporarily
enlist other employees for help. It’s always
a good idea to discuss these changes with your staff
so they don’t feel threatened. Some may actually
find it helpful to keep busy.
Staying open. Let your team know
you’re always available for questions, to discuss
concerns or just to listen. Remind yourself that you
don’t know all the answers and that it’s
okay to acknowledge your own fear, anger and grief
to your colleagues. In fact, “sharing the pain” can
encourage the team to work through the after effects
of the trauma more openly and honestly.
Nurturing yourself. Traumatic events
often have as big an impact on managers as they do
on employees. The demands of your own role, combined
with providing support for your team, can cause significant
wear on tear on your emotions. Don’t neglect
your own feelings and accept you will also go through
a similar process. Pay attention to your own well-being
so you can support the health of your team.
Unfortunately, no workplace is immune to traumatic
events. And it’s undeniable: once a trauma happens,
it can temporarily dissolve the comforting sense of
community you once had within your workplace, leaving
people feeling vulnerable and insecure. As a people
leader, you play a pivotal role in helping your team
and your team members work through the harsh realities
of a trauma to overcome them. By remaining open and
frank, keeping an eye out for signs of post-trauma
trouble and leading people to the support they need
to move on, you and your team can and will recover;
learning how to move beyond that traumatic event and
continuing to grow together. |
