WORKING THROUGH GRIEF IN THE WORKPLACE

By Alicia Milinis for Long-Islander News

Pinelawn Memorial Park & Arboretum is providing free online sessions as part of their Grief Workshop Series in partnership with COPE. Pinelawn’s online Grief Workshop Series was created during the pandemic to support those mourning the loss of loved ones, when many remained isolated in their homes. Now, in its fourth year to date, Pinelawn has hosted dozens of online grief healing workshops which have assisted over 2,100 individuals coping with grief. Topics covered have included Self Healing & Resilience Building, Journaling for Life After Loss, Allowing Nature to Hold Us, Healing Through Music.

The last “Grief in the Workplace” workshop tookplace on April 23, via Zoom with the goal to help both employees and employers navigate the process of returning to work after loss. This workshop had about thirty-nine participants.

“The journey of grief doesn’t pause at the office door,” stated COPE. Grieving at work can be silent and challenging for many employees and owners. Most workers return to their regular work schedule shortly after facing a loss, but dealing with grief can last for months and even for years.

Rashida Sanchez, the Outreach & Engagement Manager and a group facilitator at COPE said, “There tends to be a lot of disconnect between the employee and employer when it comes to effectively communicating our needs in the workplace.” She added, “This workshop will be able to provide everyone with the valuable tools they need to not only feel comfortable in the workplace while grieving but to also enhance mutual understanding.”

According to COPE, along with emotional distress, grief is associated with increased physical symptoms, illnesses, hospitalizations, and a forty to fifty percent increase in mortality rates. Some studies have also demonstrated that an absence of paid bereavement leave harm to children, workers, and organizations. Sanchez’s “Grief in the Workplace” workshop aims to teach individuals how to explore the different forms grief can take, provide insightful tips, and share strategies for coping within one’s professional environment. Sanchez will also offer tips for employers on how to best communicate and comfort employees who are in the process of grieving.

“Pinelawn is privileged to collaborate with COPE to raise awareness about grief healing services and share tools that assist those on the journey through grief. It fills us with pride to be able to offer these vital workshops at no cost to those who are mourning,” said Justin Locke, President of Pinelawn Memorial Park & Arboretum.

The Zoom call sessions are available to Huntington residents. This is a great opportunity for both employers and employees as it will provide insightful tips.

According to Kimberly Brown, Epoch5 Public Relations Representative, “The next meeting with COPE will be May 28th from 7-8 p.m. via Zoom. Everyone is free to join, including Huntington residents.”

To register for the “Grief in the Workplace” workshop or to learn more about Pinelawn’s upcoming events, including its ongoing Grief Workshop Series, visit http://www.pinelawn.com/events. To learn more about COPE, visit the website http://www.copefoundation.org.