June 08, 2007
Bereavement Support Helps Employees Cope with Loss
DAVENPORT, IOWA - Earlier this year, amid a blur of funeral arrangements and in the emotional numbness that came with the death of his mother, Bill Schmidt was touched by Genesis compassion.
A peace lily, sent by Genesis executives, arrived at the funeral home. Co-workers took time on a Saturday to drive to Clinton, Iowa, for the visitation. Food trays, prepared by Food & Nutrition Services staff, were delivered to Schmidt’s home.
“They meant a great deal during a very stressful time,” says Schmidt, assistant manager, Pharmacy at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport. “My family and I were truly touched and impressed.”
The bereavement support Schmidt experienced is not an isolated incident. It happens every time a Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, employee or auxilian endures the death of a loved one. It’s one way Genesis can bring comfort to an employee during life’s most difficult event.
Taking care of each other
The Employee Bereavement Support policy originated from a recognition that, while grief support services were being offered to patients and their families, it was not available to employees. “Death has ramifications in our personal lives and in our work lives, so we wanted to offer as much employee support as possible during that difficult time,” says Chaplain Becky David, manager of Spiritual Care at Genesis, Davenport.
When an employee experiences a next-of-kin death, the manager or supervisor starts the bereavement support process by calling Spiritual Care with basic information about visitation and funeral services. Administration sends a plant, flowers or memorial offering to the funeral on behalf of Genesis. Food & Nutrition Services prepares food trays – enough for 25 people – to make it easier to feed family and guests.
Members of the employee’s department are encouraged to attend the visitation or funeral service, but Spiritual Care will send a representative if others can’t. A sympathy card is sent, and the death is acknowledged in the employee newsletter.
Spiritual Care and Administration regularly receive letters from employees about how significant it was for them to know that people at Genesis care.
While in Louisville, Ky., for the funeral of his mother-in-law, Rick Perkins, Cardiac Rehab, was surprised to find flowers from Genesis. “People were wondering who or what is Genesis?” says Perkins. “I was proud to tell them, ‘That’s my place. That’s where I work.’”
It wasn’t the first time bereavement support had been extended to Perkins. His 17-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver in an April 2005 traffic accident. “When there’s a tragedy or you need help, this is a second family. People do come together for you. You’re not alone, and that means a lot,” says Perkins.
“It’s wonderful for Genesis to do something like this. It reaffirms that you’re not just a number on a payroll somewhere – that employees, their families and situations really do matter.”
Lori Spavin, Pre-admission Services, whose mother passed away earlier this year, agrees. “Every single person I work with attended the visitation. That is not something that happens in every workplace. It was a comfort to know that I’m surrounded by people who care and reach out to let you know.”
As employees return to work, the transition can be difficult. If needed, Spiritual Care chaplains are available to offer grief counseling in a group setting, or one-on-one.
“We want Genesis to be a supportive, safe and accepting environment that can provide comfort and hope at a time of great confusion and crisis,” says Chaplain David. “Death may take away. But facing it and grieving can result in peace, new strengths and purpose.”
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