Question
How can organizations support employees dealing with workplace trauma and create a trauma-informed culture?
Answer
Providing comprehensive workplace trauma training is crucial for equipping managers and employees with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent, and effectively respond to traumatic events. Key areas to cover include understanding common trauma causes, identifying signs/triggers, facilitating sensitive discussions, addressing abusive behaviors, and providing guidance on reporting and managing crises.
However, training alone is not enough. Organizations must also offer additional resources like referrals to trauma specialists, mental health professionals, support groups, and employee wellness stipends to ensure traumatized individuals can access professional care.
Adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward drivers of workplace trauma like physical violence, emotional abuse, and toxic management practices is also vital. Clearly documenting and enforcing this policy cultivates accountability and a safer environment.
While zero-tolerance may not be feasible for all situations, proactively discouraging toxic behaviors through approaches like "gray rocking" and addressing persistent issues through proper channels is important.
Ultimately, prioritizing employee well-being and fostering a culture of support is key. When employees feel truly valued, they experience less stress, higher engagement, and stronger workplace relationships. This proactive, trauma-informed approach benefits individuals while reducing overall workplace trauma risk by diminishing toxic cultures and identifying/addressing misaligned behaviors swiftly.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Staying Grounded Through Workplace Trauma, presented by Ten'Niquwa Bryan,
M.S in I/O Psychology.
