03/14/2023
If you've ever had a job, chances are you've had a coworker who lost a pet. They probably returned to work the next day because, let's face it, pet bereavement time isn't a thing. While coworkers who lose human family members often receive kind words, time off, cards, and flowers, employees who lose their pets don't receive the same treatment. And because the death of a pet is not acknowledged in the same way, we often don't even realize that someone we work with is grieving deeply.
If you notice someone in your workplace might be going through a rough patch, you can reach out in small ways. Leaving a card on their desk is a nice way to show you care, without having to mumble and stumble over awkward sentiments at the water cooler. They can open the card when they get home in the evening, when they're not trying to push through their workday, and let the tears fall freely then.