Grief and loss in the workplace

Abstract

Throughout history, death and loss have given rise to social ceremonies and commemorative activities that note the death, recognize the place the person occupied in society, and assist the bereaved through the process of grief. Each culture faces death with its own definition of "appropriate" social-emotional reactions, and when death occurs, it provides the occasion for socially conditioned grief reactions and mourning practices. Historically, such practices have incorporated a set of interrelated people, the majority of whom were very knowledgeable of the customs and their purposes. In such a setting, it was possible for close kin, friends, distant kin, and acquaintances to come together to share their loss and grief. However, people may experience a loss that does not fit a socially recognized and sanctioned role. Grief for these people may have to remain private. Although they may have experienced an intense loss, personally or professionally, they may not be given time off from work or have the opportunity to talk about the meaning of their loss. In our modern, compartmentalized society, social ceremonies and commemorative activities tend to be limited primarily to a small circle of the "proper" bereaved individuals. This separation has helped to create a subset of grievers whose legitimacy may not be recognized by society as a whole and whose needs are often not addressed.