First week guidance for navigating the death of a direct report

This is your second out of three messages to support you in navigating the death of your direct report. This Pyn includes information on what else to do in the first week after learning of your employee's passing.

1. Designate an internal point of contact

Address who will be handling phone calls and emails directed to the employee. Your internal point of contact should also be able to respond to colleagues’ questions and concerns and inform the team about ways to support the family.

It’s good practice to limit the number of employees trying to contact the family directly. The internal point of contact is often you as the manager, or an HR business partner.

2. Coordinate sharing the news with management and the company

With your HR business partner and manager, discuss the work expectations for the immediate future. Ask that non-essential work be given an extended deadline.

Also decide who will share the news with management and the company and send a brief email. If relevant, include external contacts that the deceased employee worked with, such as suppliers and clients.

3. Start to put together a transition plan to distribute the employee’s work

When the time is appropriate, discuss work responsibilities with your team. This will be a delicate process - If you can postpone deadlines, do so.

Your employees will notice and appreciate leaders taking on additional tasks that were left undone while others were grieving. But be mindful of your own mental state. Feel free to reach out to other teams to ask for help. They will surely be willing to provide support.

As the leader, it is important to show empathy, but at the same time, ensure the business can remain productive as usual. This balance can be challenging to achieve and may differ between industries.

4. Consider organizing a celebration of life

This might be at a team meeting, sharing videos or photos, and storytelling. Consider inviting the family if appropriate.

5. Remind employees about EAP

EAP counselors are trained and ready to talk them through the stress and grief they might encounter. You might even ask HR to hire a grief counselor for several days of virtual or onsite sessions. Encourage funeral attendance if the family has permitted it.