There is not a person alive who has not experienced a crisis. The depth and expanse of each problem depends on many factors, and we all react differently. As a manager, what can you do? Maintaining complete separation between work and personal lives is not always possible when faced with a particularly significant life event. Here are some ways managers can better support an employee experiencing a crisis while maintaining professionalism and discretion.
Let Them Know You’re There
The most important thing you can do is let your employee know you’re available for as much or as little as they want to talk to you about what’s happening. Many people won’t want to bother their managers with their issues, but it can also be necessary for everyone to understand what’s going on and how to adjust moving forward.
Don’t Be Intrusive
Avoid being too intrusive. Your employee doesn’t have to disclose anything or everything if they don’t want to. Don’t pry, and don’t make assumptions. Just ensure they know you’re available if and when they’re ready.
Avoid Giving Unsolicited Advice
It’s human nature to want to step in and help when someone comes to you with a problem. But there are plenty of problems most of us aren’t equipped to solve. And even if you have some relatable advice, it may not be welcomed. Avoid wanting to jump in and give answers; just let your employee share what they need to share.
Know What You Can Offer
You must also know what decisions you have the authority to make. You may want to give your team member more time off or the ability to work from home, but this doesn’t mean you have the authority to do so. Before making promises you can’t keep, look into your company’s policies on short and long-term leave and what you can offer.
Check In Regularly
Your employee will appreciate your extra effort while they’re struggling. Check-in with them regularly to see how they’re doing. You can keep it work-related to ensure they have what they need to do their job effectively. Tell them to talk to you immediately if they have any problems or feel like they can’t meet a milestone. Also, be sure they understand there won’t be any retribution if they need to ask for help or extra time.
Pay Attention to the Workload
You also want to watch out for spreading your other employees too thin during this time. Pay attention to your employee experiencing a crisis and the rest of the team. If other employees feel like they’re drowning while someone is getting special treatment, you will have an entirely different situation on your hands.
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