How do people react when they encounter death in the workplace, and how can managers assist employees as they process it? Many occupations involve exposure to mortality. Critical care nurses and emergency medical technicians must take care of dying patients. Firefighters and police find themselves in danger when trying to save the lives of others. Construction workers and coal miners witness critical and sometimes fatal injuries. And even office workers will occasionally be confronted by the death of a colleague.
What Happens When We’re Reminded of Death at Work
Research shows engagement can increase — but so can anxiety.
June 18, 2019
Summary.
Encountering mortality cues at work is stressful — so stressful that researchers refer to the response as terror management. But it turns out that there may be two divergent ways people process death. Those who experience death anxiety tend to experience aversive emotions such as fear and panic, which, in the workplace, leads to greater stress and absenteeism. But those who instead engage in death reflection focus on the ways they can find meaning and enter into a more positive mindset, leaving them happier, more engaged, and more productive. Organizations and managers have an important role to play in helping employees toward the latter path.
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