How Do I Support An Employee Who Is Emotional Or Upset?
You need to be prepared that an employee may get tearful during your conversation.
During these emotionally charged situations rational suggestions are unlikely to be effective.
The guideline here is to take steps to help the employee return to a state where they are able to take part in a more rational conversation.
Here are some tips to sensitively manage the situation.
- Move to a private space
- Offer to call a colleague, friend or family member to support them
- Be patient, just sitting quietly with someone is offering support
- Listen to what they have to say, if they want to speak with you
- Don't ask intrusive questions
- Don't tell them what to do
- Don't push for an answer
- Don't make assumptions based on gossip
- Reassure the employee that you will do your best to support and help
- Have to hand details of your companies Employee Assistance programme (EAP), occupational health or any other in house support.
Sometimes extreme situations may arise which are more serious. If someone's behaviour makes you think they may be a danger to themselves or other people then you need to follow this guidance, take action and get help.
It's also important to make sure you manage the situation afterwards appropriately.
Remember you are not a medical expert, you are not expected to provide counselling or specialist support, there are other people who can do that. Your role is, first of all, to think about how to provide an initial response to this situation. Keep these three guidelines in mind at all times:
- Be honest
- Be open
- Act early
It is also worth looking at the guidance given here it's good to talk.
If, after talking to the person you are clear that there is a mental health issue i.e. the person discloses, follow the guidelines outlined in how do I support staff who have told me they have a mental health problem?