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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.
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