The loss of a pet can be a devastating experience and can temporarily impact an employee’s performance at work. I recently lost a beloved cat unexpectedly. My cat Mabel was only 8.5 years old and had a heart attack. The experience was shocking, resulting in an inability to sleep for the next 24 hours and a loss of appetite, and many crying spells. This reaction is normal when a loved one dies, even if the loved one is a pet. Pets play a significant part of people’s lives and can even help with managing many mental health disorders. In times of stress, petting a cat or dog can lower anxiety, lower blood pressure, and provide a sense of well-being. If you are a supervisor or a colleague of someone who recently experienced a death of a pet, here are some strategies to help that person:
Do not trivialize the loss of a pet. Comments such as “it was just a cat” do not help. The pet was a significant part of the employee’s life and the death of a pet will result in sadness, grief, and even a temporary decline in cognitive functioning. All of these reactions are normal with the loss of a loved one. And such comments negatively impacting the trust the employee has in you. The employee will view your comments in a negative way, eroding away any trust they may have, further negatively impacting the working relationship. The employee may not feel safe to express themselves in the work environment if the supervisor trivializes their loss experience. Even if you do not understand the employee’s grief reaction, acknowledge the loss by saying “I am so sorry” and ask, “How can I help?”
Put tasks in writing. Your employee’s brain is not working well right now. You can help the employee stay on task and focus by putting tasks in writing.
Routine, routine, routine. Structured daily routines help the employee get through the day. This is not the time to alter routines, just getting through the day is enough and daily routines help tremendously with accomplishing this goal.
Refer to the company’s Employee Assistance Program. Offer the services of the Employee Assistance Program to your employee, especially if you notice signs of a prolonged grief reaction. The ability to talk about the loss experience can help your employee function better and healthier once again.
The grief reaction to the loss of a pet is real and will result in a profound emotional reaction of your employee. As a supervisor, you can create a safe and supportive environment to help your employee refocus and perform well once again by kindly acknowledging the loss.
Take care and always be kind to yourself and others,
Marcie
