At a Red Robin near the movie theater, co-workers are struggling with the death of one of their own, as well as seven others who were hurt. Human resource expert Susan Heathfield has 11 tips for managers and HR professionals to help their employees deal with tragedy:

Make sure people are safe – "If the incident is happening in your workplace, make certain people are safe before you do anything else."
Cut people some slack – "If you expect them to continue working, people will make errors and mistakes because they are distracted by the events or information."
Assess the personal involvement of employees – "If the tragedy impacts an individual personally, offer release time, support, a ride, help obtaining information, and anything else the individual appears to need."
Give people information – "Information helps people process the events. Turn on radios, broadcast breaking news over your speaker system and recognize that people will call friends and acquaintances to share information and compare notes."
Provide places to gather and talk – "Many people talk incessantly during a tragic event; others suffer silently. You will want to draw your silent people out when possible. Central gatherings will help."
Schedule a meeting to share information – "The more legitimate information people have, the less likely they are to depend on rumors, the less time they spend seeking information."
Give people something to do to help – "In times of sorrow, when people draw together for sustenance, many want something to do to help solve the problem or to ease the situation."
Make managers and HR staff available – "Supervisors and HR staff members are critical company members during tragedy. In a study done years ago by the American Psychological Association, employees overwhelmingly listed personal attention from the supervisor as one of the most rewarding aspects of work."
Offer employee assistance – "If your company has an Employee Assistance Program or counseling available via your health plan, make sure employees know it is available for people who need it. Some programs offer counseling in the workplace. Explore possibilities."
Be prepared – "Every organization needs a disaster plan… All employees should be trained in the specifics of the plan. Prepare people about what actions to take if they are confronted with potential injury in the workplace."
Make grief training part of your training program – "All employees should be trained in the specifics of the plan. Prepare people about what actions to take if they are confronted with potential injury in the workplace."

To read the full Heathfield article, click here.

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