This resource aims to help you to support colleagues through some of the most difficult challenges of their lives.
Why it's important to look yourself
Text
By supporting your colleagues, you will be helping both them and your organisation. However, doing so will also be challenging for you – both as a line manager and as a person.
There will be organisational demands to manage and there will be your own emotional response to your colleague’s situation. This can be intense for you, especially if you know your colleague well or if their situation brings back memories of your own experiences.
Your own line manager will be able to provide support for you by, for example, confirming that the practical steps you have taken to help your colleague are the right thing to do. They may have experience and ideas of their own to contribute.
Your HR team will also be able to help provide reassurance around policies or processes to follow.
It’s important to take care of yourself when taking care of others. You may want to remember the analogy of putting on your own oxygen mask first.
Some ways you can support yourself
Text
Set up regular time with your line manager
If you would like a listening ear try calling your employee EAP or one of the free helplines listed in the signposting section
