The need for an employee bereveament support programme at Umgeni Hospital

Abstract

Bereavement and grief are life changing and universal experiences. People cope with loss of a loved one in many ways. For some the experience may lead to personal growth and for others it could lead to deterioration in their normal functioning. There is no right way of coping with death. The way a person grieves depends on the personality of that person and the relationship with the person that has died. Grief and loss occurs both at work and at home. However, these days, most people spend more of their time at the workplace than at home. Therefore when a colleague dies or one is grieving a death or a loss, the impact on his or her co-workers can be tremendous. The death of an employee can bring the workplace activity to a halt. Anyone who knew the person will experience some degree of shock and anxiety. However, how a person copes with grief is affected by the person’s cultural and religious background, coping skills, mental history, support systems and the person’s social and financial situation. The workplace could therefore be a significant support system that could help a person to cope with the loss. The manner in which grief and loss are managed in the workplace could determine if the employees’ experiences of this loss is dealt with either positively or negatively. The researcher, through consultations with employees at Umgeni Hospital, has learnt that the employees have within a short time period experienced the loss of several colleagues through traumatic events. Some employees are also struggling to cope with losses in their personal lives. The aim of this study was to investigate the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital. The objectives of this study were: <ul> <li> To conceptualize theoretically employee bereavement and its impact in the workplace as well as the support strategies for employees.</li> <li> To conduct an empirical investigation into the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital.</li> <li> To provide recommendations to the hospital management on the need for a bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital based on the information gained from this research.</li> </ul> A quantitative research approach was used to assist the researcher understand this need. Applied research focusses on problem solving in practice. In this study applied research was used as the findings of this exploratory study determined the recommendations to management on the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital. The data collection method was hand delivered questionnaires. The population for the study was 422 employees. However, systematic sampling was used to chose a sample of 70 employees. These questionnaires were pilot tested on 5 employees that did not form part of the actual study. The data was analysed using the SPSS statistical package, interpreted and displayed using table format and various graphical presentations. The goal of the study was to investigate the need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital. This goal was definitely achieved as the study determined not only that there is definitely a need for an employee bereavement support programme at Umgeni Hospital but also the exact or specific needs of the employees with regards to the programme itself. This study would therefore definitely add value to the hospital and its employees as it will assist hospital management in developing an appropriate bereavement support programme to assist their employees in the future. Copyright