$75 Billion Dollar loss in annual U.S. revenue ~ On-site workshop targets impact
R. Glenn Kelly | February 17, 2016
Are U.S. business leaders aware that $75.1 Billion in revenue is lost each year due to the hidden 
and often unaddressed impact of grief and bereavement in the workplace? That is the conclusion of compiled data publicly available through the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), and covers only the losses within the United States.
One Mid-South based author, public speaker and workshop presenter offers “Grief in the Workplace” workshops to assist owners, managers and supervisors mitigate the impact of bereaved employees on their return to work.
“This is not about asking for more time off for an employee who has just been through a traumatic loss. That is at the discretion of the employer,” said R. Glenn Kelly, grieving father and workshop facilitator. “This is about when the employee returns. I have been on both sides of the issue, having been a business leader myself in the defense and security industry, watching the bottom line, and returning to work shortly after the devastating loss of my sixteen-year old son and only child.”
While business must go on, employees at all levels who return to work following a profound loss, such as a spouse or child, will deal with intense grief related issues for weeks, months and even years afterward. According to the CDC figures released, 85% of managers returning to work reported impaired decision making abilities, while another 85% of supervisory personnel reported the same.
Even more alarming is the 95% of front-line employees reporting a higher rate of workplace injuries due to lack of concentration. While employers certainly want to focus on the safety and well-being of all employees, those watching the money know the enormous negative impact of higher worker’s comp ratings.
Many small business employers may feel grief does not impact their productivity. Yet, it absolutely does. Looking at the average death rate in the United States, the CDC reports 8.2 deaths for every 1,000 persons each year. That means that even a company with only 100 employees stands a good chance of unfortunately losing one employee a year.
That one lost employee a year figure is incredibly sad and will affect the company on its own, but it is not really the greater impact. Instead, consider that each one of the 100 employees on the job will normally have one, two, three or even more dependents at home. This could be a wife, husband, or any number of children that could pass away. This could take the probability of grief in the workplace and greatly multiply the 1 in 100 potential exponentially.
When asked about the effectiveness of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) contracted by many companies for employee needs, R. Glenn stated, “EAPs are wonderful, and normally offer the bereaved employee the opportunity to seek help through mental health professionals. However, even if the employee takes advantage of the program, he or she may only be afforded appointments on a weekly or monthly basis.”
R. Glenn went on to say that unlike scheduled EAP appointments, the employee still has to be at work every day, where he or she will interact with other employees. Many on the job spend more time with coworkers on a day-to-day basis than even with those at home. Strong relationships at work are often developed and those connections will have a huge bearing on the bereaved working through grief.
After his own loss, R. Glenn recounts witnessing employees that would avoid him in the hallways, and at times felt self-conscious, knowing he was the quiet talk of others around the breakroom coffee pot. It was not long at all after his return that he was asked multiple times when he would be “over it,” and listened as coworkers frequently tried to console him with such thoughtless comments as “Well, at least you can still have another child.” These interactions, coupled with the emotional pain, fatigue, lack of concentration and more had incredibly negative consequences on his ability to do the job.
In addition to the taking care of employees and reducing hidden revenue loss, the Grief in the Workplace workshops are an incredible add-on to any company’s existing morale and welfare program. Not only does it help attract and retain the best candidates, but looks very impressive to current and potential clients, providing yet another positive means to increase the bottom line.
Since the loss of his child, R. Glenn Kelly left the corporate world to publicly advocate grief support, specifically in the areas of men who grieve, a taboo subject in itself, and grief in the workplace. He is the published author of three grief and bereavement support books available online and bookstores everywhere, and sits on the Board of Directors for three National Non-Profit 501 (c) 3 bereavement support organizations.
R. Glenn has appeared both on television and radio to advocate grief support, and in 2016 will speak at four national conventions for the bereaved, including a March 21st, engagement at the headquarters of Delta Airlines, where he will address a national fly-in of employees from around the country who have experienced profound loss. He has participated as a guest speaker at both the University of Memphis, and at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where he was just invited to be a member of the Family Partners Council.
Although based in Memphis, TN, the Grief in the Workplace workshops are offered nationally by R. Glenn Kelly. These half day sessions, either morning or afternoon, are intended for senior and front-line managers, as well as supervisors. Topics discussed range from understanding where the revenue loss is experienced, to understanding the mental and physical impacts of grief, as well as preparing the workplace, interacting with the bereaved and so much more.
In addition to direct employee bereavement, R. Glenn also covers the company-wide grief affects from the possible death of a company leader, workplace accidents which end in a fatality, active shooter events on or near the job, as well as natural disasters and national security/terrorism events. All of these place a large amount of anxiety and grief on the employees in the workplace.
To discuss arranging a Grief in the Workplace workshop at your place of business, you can contact R. Glenn Kelly directly at rglennkelly@rglennkelly.com or visit his website GrievingMen.com and select the Workshops page from the menu.