Building caring workplaces
When it comes to caregiving, illness and bereavement, how do we as employers and work colleagues respond when challenges occur in the lives of the people we work with? For many this can be an uncomfortable space where we do not know what to say and do. When this happens our work colleagues can increasingly feel isolated and unsupported.
How employers and co-workers respond when times are difficult can radically shift a person’s relationship to their workplace. Research has shown that caring workplace cultures can make a positive contribution by increasing morale, supporting employee retention, reducing absences and increasing productivity.
In support of the Compassionate Bunbury Charter the South West Compassionate Communities Network partnered with the South West Development Commission and the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) held a workshop in July 2023 focusing on building a caring organisation, one where we can support each during challenging times.
Understanding grief
Grief is a normal reaction to loss and loss touches everyone at some point in time. Loss and grief are often very painful and is not something to ‘quickly get over,’ rather, we integrate the loss and grief slowly over time Our workshop provides participants with an understanding of the various types of losses commonly encountered, but most importantly, it provided them with the tools to support colleagues, friends and themselves.
If you would like to explore how to foster a more compassionate workplace please contact us.
The South West Compassionate Communities Network acknowledges the Noongar community as the traditional owners and custodians of Country in the South West of Western Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.
