Lessons Learned From the Narratives of Two Employees Returning to Work While Actively Grieving

Using a narrative lens this project will examine how organizational practices influenced the experience of grieving for two individuals. As the literature review will show, most grieving adults return to the workplace while still actively grieving. Returning to work while grieving is not only difficult for the griever, as shown through my interviews, but can also impact organizational effectiveness. This qualitative narrative study will explore the lifecycle and impacts of grief for two employees from two different workplace settings, and an analysis of the data collected will show how organizational practices influenced the experience of grieving for those returning to work within two weeks of the death of a biological parent. The aim of this study is to give a voice to the bereaved about their experience of returning to work while still actively grieving. These stories can then be shared with organizational leaders and aspiring organizational leaders to become more familiar with the many organizational dynamics that impact the griever in the workplace. This dissertation in practice is important because the findings can help to inform and provide guidance for leaders interested in facilitating a workplace culture that is prepared for those grieving. Keywords: grief, bereavement, narrative, employee support, workplace culture, caring response

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Rich, Kimberly

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bloomquist, Candace D.

• Bereavement
• Caring Response
• Employee Support
• Grief
• Workplace Culture

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://cdr.creighton.edu/handle/10504/153974

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/153974