By Susan Resavy, Vice President, Family Services, Choices Healthcare
A feature piece from our Fall 2025 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication
When an employee passes away—whether unexpectedly or after a lengthy illness—the impact on colleagues and workplace morale can be profound. Beyond the immediate grief, teams often face shifts in productivity, workplace dynamics and emotional well-being. Yet many organizations struggle with how to support employees through loss while maintaining a healthy and compassionate work environment.
Hospice & Community Care’s Pathways Center for Grief & Loss specializes in guiding businesses through difficult moments of loss. Through tailored, free grief support and onsite employer consultations in both English and Spanish, Pathways equips organizations with tools to navigate loss with compassion. Hospice & Community Care and the Pathways Center are programs of Choices Healthcare.
“When someone in a workplace passes away, the grief doesn’t just belong to the family—it belongs to everyone who worked alongside them,” shared Elaine Ostrum, Director, Pathways Center for Grief & Loss. “Supporting employees through this loss isn’t just compassionate; it helps teams process emotions, maintain connection and continue working in a healthy environment. Structured support, whether in group sessions or one-on-one counseling, allows employees to heal while fostering a culture of care that benefits the entire organization.”
By recognizing grief as a workplace issue, not just a personal one, companies can play an important role in helping employees feel cared for and connected during one of life’s most challenging experiences.
Tips for Supporting Employees Through Workplace Loss
- Acknowledge the loss: Communicate clearly and sensitively to all staff.
- Offer structured support: Provide access to grief counseling, workshops or support groups.
- Flexible scheduling: Allow employees time off or flexible hours as they process grief.
- Train managers: Equip leaders with tools to recognize and respond to grief in their teams.
- Encourage peer support: Foster opportunities for colleagues to support one another.
- Memorialize respectfully: Honor the individual in a way that feels meaningful to staff.
Returning to Work While Grieving
For many employees, one of the hardest challenges after a loss is returning to daily routines. Work can feel overwhelming—or, for some, it may provide needed structure. The transition is rarely simple, and employees may struggle with concentration, energy or motivation in ways that employers might not see on the surface.
As you begin to identify the different choices involved in returning to work, a situation that initially seems overwhelming can start to feel a little more manageable. By communicating your feelings and talking through options, you can gain some control over your life at a time when things feel so uncertain. Another possibility to consider is to call the Pathways Center for Grief & Loss and talk with a grief counselor or seek assistance through an EAP program if applicable.
Suggestions for Employees Returning to Work:
- Communicate your needs: Share with your supervisor or HR what may help you during this transition.
- Set small goals: Focus on one task at a time instead of trying to tackle everything at once.
- Take breaks: Grief is exhausting—allow yourself moments to rest and regroup.
- Seek support: Lean on coworkers you trust or professional counselors who can guide you.
- Be patient with yourself: Grief has no timeline, and it’s normal for emotions to resurface.
Employers who understand these challenges can ease the transition by showing flexibility and offering resources. A compassionate approach helps employees feel supported, which in turn strengthens team trust and loyalty.
A Culture of Care
Grief in the workplace is inevitable, but how a company responds can make a lasting difference. Organizations that embrace grief-informed practices help employees heal, maintain resilience and foster a culture rooted in empathy. By acknowledging loss, offering resources and modeling compassion, businesses demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of every team member.
Hospice & Community Care’s Pathways Center for Grief & Loss is here to walk alongside organizations and employees through these moments. With professional guidance and compassionate care, Pathways helps transform a time of uncertainty into an opportunity for healing and connection.
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