How To Support An Employee That’s Going Through A Difficult Period
No one ever said being the boss was easy. After all, managers and high-ranking professionals have a lot of responsibilities and assignments that they need to address on a daily basis. However, sometimes they encounter an issue that’s so sensitive and nuanced that they don’t know how to handle it. Namely, how should a leader manage an employee who’s experiencing serious problems in their personal life? While there may not be one, definitive way to navigate such a situation, we’ll do our best here to highlight some tips that managers can use to help out their team members who are struggling outside of the workplace.
Lend a Sympathetic Ear
Occasionally, a boss may have to simply act as a sounding board for a frustrated employee. It may not be particularly enjoyable to hear an employee vent their concerns about issues they’re dealing with, but, in many instances simply hearing someone out can be hugely beneficial. People have a desire to be heard, and setting aside time to let them speak their mind can be a surprisingly effective way to help them.
Lighten their Load
When an employee is having trouble in their personal life, it almost always affects their performance in the office. As such, it’s a good idea to give any employee who comes to you with a big issue plenty of time and space to address it. Let them have a leave of absence for a few days or weeks and make sure any important work on their desk gets covered by someone else.
Offer Help –– If You Can
As a general rule, it’s best to separate your personal and professional interests. Still, occasionally a manager may be in a position to help out a professional struggling with a personal problem. For instance, should an employee suffer from spinal issues that bother them on a consistent basis, a well-connected boss may be able to recommend them to a doctor who uses stem cell therapy for back pain treatments. This is a fairly specific example, but if a manager has the opportunity to help out a team member in need, they should try to do so –– even if it occurs outside of the normal professional environment.
Follow Up
It’s very difficult for many individuals to come to their boss with a personal problem. It’s even harder to come back months or years later if they still have that problem. Given that fact, progressive business leaders should strive to connect with all of their employees and to check in on their well-being from time to time. Just asking if a team member needs a break or additional support could make the world of difference to them and improve the morale at your company immeasurably. This is, in reality, one of the best ways to protect the long-term viability of your organization.
We’re All In This Together
While no two situations are exactly alike, business leaders should do their best to support and assist their employees in whatever way they can. Going above and beyond might not do much for your company’s bottom line, but it could lift the spirits of an employee in need. And that’s an incredibly worthwhile cause.
