--- title: How to Support Employees After a Traumatic Event | Ulliance description: Learn how trauma can affect employees and discover practical ways HR leaders can provide support, build resilience, and create a trauma-informed workplace. image: https://blog.ulliance.com/hubfs/Trauma%20in%20the%20Workplace.jpg --- Enhancing People. Improving Business. - [Get Help](https://ulliance.com/employee-counselors/) - [EAP Login](https://lifeadvisoreap.com) - [Well-being Login](https://lifeadvisorwellness.com/UserLogin/Login) [![Ulliance](https://blog.ulliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ulliance_May2019%20Theme/images/Ulliance-Logo.svg?t=1557205045032&width=860)](https://ulliance.com/) - [Services](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/) - [Employee Assistance Program](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/best-employee-assistance-programs/) - [Wellness Program](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/life-advisor-wellness-programs/) - [Training & Development](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/training-development/) - [Organizational Development Consulting](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/organizational-development-od-consulting/) - [Outplacement Services](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/outplacement-services/) - [Incident & Crisis Management](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-crisis-management/) - [Student Assistance Program](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/student-assistance-program/) - [Workplace Substance Abuse Services](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-substance-abuse-services/) - [EAP Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/) - [What Is An EAP?](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#what-is-an-eap) - [Why Does Our Company Need An EAP?](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#why-need-an-eap) - [Types of EAPs and EAP Providers](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#types-of-eap) - [What Comes With An EAP?](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#what-comes-with-eap) - [EAP Costs Per Employee](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#eap-cost-per-employee) - [How To Choose An EAP For Your Company](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#how-to-choose-an-eap) - [How To Implement An EAP](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#how-to-implement-eap) - [Common Questions Your Employees Might Have About Their EAP](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#common-questions) - [When Should We Upgrade Our EAP?](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#update-our-eap) - [A Good EAP Pays For Itself](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#good-eap-pays-for-itself) - [Download the Ultimate Guide](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/#print) - [Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/) - [Well-being Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/well-being-resources/) - [Training Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/training-resources/) - [Video Resource Library](https://ulliance.com/video-resource-library/) - [HR Professionals](https://ulliance.com/hr-professional-support/) - [Brokers](https://ulliance.com/broker-healthcare-consultants/) - [About Us](https://ulliance.com/about-us/) - [Leadership](https://ulliance.com/about-us/company-leadership/) - [Careers](https://ulliance.com/about-us/careers/) - [Blog](https://blog.ulliance.com/) ![Trauma in the Workplace](https://blog.ulliance.com/hubfs/Trauma%20in%20the%20Workplace.jpg "Trauma in the Workplace") # Trauma in the Workplace: How to Support Employees After a Traumatic Event 3 Things employers should consider when a traumatic event occurs Traumatic events can happen inside or outside the workplace, but their effects don't necessarily stop when an employee arrives at work. Violence, natural disasters, serious accidents, loss, domestic violence, harassment, community tragedies, and other distressing experiences can affect an employee's emotional and physical well-being. Trauma may also influence concentration, decision-making, relationships, attendance, and an employee's ability to perform their job. Supporting employees after a traumatic event starts with recognizing that everyone responds differently. Employers can help by creating a psychologically supportive environment, giving employees flexibility where appropriate, communicating available resources, training managers to recognize signs of distress, and connecting employees with professional support through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or workplace crisis response services. **Employers aren't expected to diagnose or treat trauma. Their role is to create an environment where employees feel supported and know where to turn when they need help.**   ## What Is Trauma? Trauma is an emotional or psychological response to an event or series of experiences that a person finds deeply distressing, threatening, or overwhelming. Trauma can result from a single event, repeated experiences, or indirect exposure to another person's traumatic experience. Trauma is a fact of life that most people experience at one point or another. In fact, 61% of men and 51% of women report at least one traumatic event in their life. Given the prevalence of trauma, employers find themselves challenged to provide appropriate support for their employees.  *"In general, trauma can be defined as a psychological, emotional response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing."-* Center for the Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders Trauma can have an effect on employees in the workplace in numerous ways. Employees who have experienced trauma may have difficulties with concentration, memory, or decision-making, leading to a decrease in productivity and efficiency. Additionally, employees may feel emotionally overwhelmed or disconnected from their work, or they may experience anxiety or fear which can lead to increased stress levels and difficulty performing tasks. Regardless of whether the trauma events happen in the workplace or elsewhere, it is essential for organizations to be sensitive to the emotional, physical, and psychological needs of their employees and to provide the support that is appropriate for the situation. Emotional and psychological trauma can be caused not only by one-time events such as accidents or a violent attack, but also by ongoing stress from domestic violence, serious illness, childhood neglect, or workplace issues. It can also be caused by larger issues like climate change, political or economic instability, or mass shootings where the individual may not have direct personal involvement. ## **What are the Different Types of Trauma?** 1. ### acute trauma- typically Stems from a single, isolated event, such as a natural disaster or accident. examples of acute trauma include vehicle accidents, natural disasters and witnessing physical violence. 2. ### chronic trauma- Characterized by repeated exposure to traumatic events. Ongoing domestic/sexual/emotional abuse, poverty and homelessness or warzone exposure call all lead to chronic trauma. 3. ### complex trauma- occurs when an individual experiences multiple and prolonged sources of trauma over time. examples involve repeated and prolonged exposure to traumatic events such as growing up in an abusive household, living in a neglectful environment, or being a refugee of war. 4. ### secondary trauma-or vicarious trauma involves the emotional  and physiological effects that arise when witnessing or hearing someone else's traumatic experience, such as hearing the stories of those affected by violent crime, natural disasters, or other traumatic experiences. 5. ### adverse childhood experiences-(aces) are traumatic events experienced in childhood that can have long-term consequences for physical and mental health into adulthood. Examples include child abuse and neglect, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, divorce/separation of parents, substance use in the home, mental illness of a parent/caregiver, criminal behavior in the home, and experiencing racism. It is important to understand that, regardless of type, the effects of trauma vary from person to person. For some people, trauma events can lead to difficulty in forming [healthy relationships](https://campaigns.ulliance.com/healthy-working-relationships-infographic) or a negative impact on their ability to work. Others may find themselves struggling with flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or nightmares. In cases of more severe trauma, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop. --- [![CTA Trauma in the Workplace](https://blog.ulliance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA%20Trauma%20in%20the%20Workplace.jpg?width=1000&height=400&name=CTA%20Trauma%20in%20the%20Workplace.jpg)](https://campaigns.ulliance.com/trauma-in-the-workplace-infographics) --- ## **How Can Trauma Affect Employees at Work?** Trauma doesn't always look the same from one employee to another. Some signs may be emotional, while others can affect behavior, thinking, relationships, or physical well-being. Employees experiencing the effects of trauma may experience: - Shock, denial or disbelief - Confusion, difficulty concentrating - Anger, irritability, mood swings - Anxiety and fear - Guilt and shame  - Hyperarousal - feeling very anxious, on edge and unable to relax - Sleep problems  - difficulty falling or staying asleep - Easily startled - Tremendous fatigue and exhaustion - Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) - Edginess - Chronic muscle tension or pain These signs do not necessarily mean an employee has experienced trauma. Managers and HR professionals should focus on observable changes, express concern appropriately, and connect employees with available resources rather than attempting to diagnose them. ## **How Can Employees Cope After a Traumatic Event?** Thankfully, there are many ways for those who have experienced trauma to heal in the long term. Employees may find it helpful to: - Seek professional mental health support when needed - Connect with trusted friends, family members, or coworkers - Maintain healthy sleep and daily routines when possible - Use relaxation, mindfulness, or grounding techniques - Participate in physical activity - Set boundaries around news or other distressing content - Give themselves time to recover - Access confidential support through their EAP [Employee assistance programs](https://ulliance.com/hr-professional-support/) can be a good starting point for getting appropriate professional assistance. It is important for individuals to seek professional help if needed - particularly if the trauma is impacting their everyday work or personal lives. Therapy can be beneficial for recognizing the underlying causes of the trauma and assisting with psychological processing by helping the individual make sense of what happened in order to create closure and healing. Other positive strategies include self-care techniques such as relaxation methods, exercise programs, and good nutrition practices; engaging in meaningful activities; creating a support system; writing about experiences; and coping with distressing memories through mental imagery techniques. It is also important for those affected by trauma to get enough sleep each night as well as build restorative rituals into their day. Going for a walk outside, doing yoga, or anything that allows them some peace and reprieve from daily stressors will help them cope better with overwhelming emotions associated with trauma. Ultimately it is essential that those affected by trauma take back control of their lives and form healthy routines so they can continue living a full life despite their experiences. ## **How Can Employers Support Employees After a Traumatic Event?** Employers can support employees after trauma by prioritizing safety, communicating clearly, offering flexibility when appropriate, providing access to mental health resources, training managers to respond compassionately, and creating a workplace culture where asking for help is encouraged rather than stigmatized. Trauma is an unavoidable fact of life. As such, companies cannot completely mitigate trauma in their employees' lives, but rather should focus on efforts to help employees when they experience the adverse effects of trauma and to build a trauma-resilient workforce. *"it's time for organizations to make mental health support a key priority in the workplace, including trauma-informed care and support. Employers can take steps to mitigate the worst impacts and help their employees through a proactive approach aimed at creating a trauma-resilient workplace."* - Garen Staglin, Forbes A trauma-resilient workplace is one where employers understand and acknowledge how traumatic experiences can adversely impact their employees' overall well-being in addition to their performance on the job. This means providing resources, such as mental health support services, to help employees cope with the aftermath of trauma.[Training supervisors to recognize signs of distress](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/training-resources/)in their staff is also important. Here are steps that employers can take to create a trauma-resilient workforce. - **Understand and Recognize Trauma-** Recognize the impact that unresolved or untreated traumatic experiences can have on employees. Trauma may occur at any point in a person's life, so today's symptoms may be the result of long-ago events. - **Offer Appropriate Support-** Offer support services for staff members who have gone through traumatic experiences so they are better equipped to cope with the after-effects. Referrals to an employee assistance program can be an ideal way to aid employees in getting the help they need. - **Provide Training-** Managers should be trained to identify symptoms of trauma in their team members. Additionally, all employees can benefit from training that explains trauma in a non-stigmatizing way that encourages seeking help when it is needed. - **Reduce Stigma-** Employers should strive to create an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to seek out help without stigma or judgment. --- ## What Should Employers Do After a Traumatic Event in the Workplace? When a traumatic event occurs in the workplace, employers should consider these 3 things: 1. ### pUT PEOPPLE FIRST. Employers should make attending to employees' needs the primary priority following a traumatic event. 2. ### **GIVE EMPLOYEES CHOICES.** No two employees will experience trauma in the same way, so a variety of support services should be made available. An employee assistance program can help guide employees to the appropriate services. 3. ### **RECOGNIZE WORK CAN BE PART OF RECOVERY.** Depending on the nature of the traumatic event, give employees the choice and the opportunity to return to work as they deem appropriate. ## Why Workplace Crisis Response Matters After a Traumatic Event When a traumatic event directly affects the workplace—such as an employee death, workplace violence, serious accident, natural disaster, or other critical incident—organizations may need more than general employee mental health resources. A coordinated[workplace crisis response](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-crisis-management/) can help HR and leadership teams determine how to communicate with employees, provide appropriate support, connect affected individuals with professional resources, and help the organization move forward after the immediate crisis. Having a crisis response plan in place before an incident occurs can also help organizations respond more quickly and confidently when employees need support most. ## How EAPs Can Support Employees After Trauma An [Employee Assistance Program (EAP)](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/best-employee-assistance-programs/) can provide employees with a confidential place to turn when they're struggling after a traumatic event or difficult life experience. Depending on an employee's needs, EAP support can help with concerns such as: - Stress and anxiety - Grief and loss - Workplace crises - Interpersonal conflict - Relationship or family concerns - Financial stress - Mental health concerns - Substance use - Caregiving challenges EAPs can also provide HR teams and managers with an established resource to recommend when an employee needs support beyond what the workplace can appropriately provide. Rather than expecting managers to have all the answers, organizations can create a clear pathway from "I see that you're struggling" to "Here's where you can get professional support." ## **Help Your Organization Be Prepared When Employees Need Support Most** Traumatic events are often unpredictable. Your organization's response doesn't have to be. Ulliance helps employers support their people through [Employee Assistance Programs](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/best-employee-assistance-programs/) and workplace [Incident & Crisis Management](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-crisis-management/)services designed to provide employees and organizations with professional support when difficult situations arise. From confidential individual support to organizational crisis response, Ulliance helps HR teams ensure employees have somewhere to turn when they need help. [**Learn About Ulliance Workplace Crisis Support**](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-crisis-management/) --- Have some questions about our services? Book a quick meeting below! ---   --- References: 2021 CHRO Insights Series: Trauma and Mental Health in the Workplace, One Mind at Work and SHRM Foundation,  https://onemindatwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/OMI-CHRO-Series-White-Paper-2021-FINAL-2.pdf [Emotional And Psychological Trauma: What Is It and How To Heal?, Sunshine Clinic,](https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/raise-low-self-esteem/) [https://www.sunshineclinic.org/blog/emotional-and-psychological-trauma-what-is-it-and-how-to-heal/](https://www.sunshineclinic.org/blog/emotional-and-psychological-trauma-what-is-it-and-how-to-heal/) Supporting Employees With Psychological Trauma, Patti van Eys, Ph.D., Pathways, [https://www.pathways.com/pathways-at-work/blog/supporting-employees-with-psychological-trauma](https://www.pathways.com/pathways-at-work/blog/supporting-employees-with-psychological-trauma) Trauma, Psychology Today,  [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trauma) Trauma at the Workplace, What to Do About It, Forbes, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/onemind/2021/11/10/trauma-at-the-workplace--and-what-to-do-about-it/?sh=5e66096039e1](https://www.forbes.com/sites/onemind/2021/11/10/trauma-at-the-workplace--and-what-to-do-about-it/?sh=5e66096039e1) What Is Trauma?, Center for the Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders, [https://www.centerforanxietydisorders.com/what-is-trauma/](https://www.centerforanxietydisorders.com/what-is-trauma/) ###### [About Us](https://ulliance.com/about-us/) - [Leadership](https://ulliance.com/about-us/company-leadership/) - [Careers](https://ulliance.com/about-us/careers/) --- ###### [Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/) - [EAP Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/eap-resources/) - [Training Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/training-resources/) - [Well-being Resources](https://ulliance.com/employee-wellness-resources/well-being-resources/) - [Video Resource Library](https://ulliance.com/video-resource-library/) ###### [Services](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/) - [Employee Assistance Program](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/best-employee-assistance-programs/) - [Wellness Program](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/life-advisor-wellness-programs/) - [Training & Development](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/training-development/) - [Organizational Development Consulting](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/organizational-development-od-consulting/) - [Outplacement Services](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/outplacement-services/) - [Incident & Crisis Management](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-crisis-management/) - [Student Assistance Programs](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/student-assistance-program/) - [Workplace Substance Abuse Services](https://ulliance.com/human-resource-services-solutions/workplace-substance-abuse-services/) --- ###### [HR Professionals](https://www.ulliance.com/hr-professional-support/) We assemble everything you need to know to make the right decision for your people. --- ###### [Brokers & Consultants](https://ulliance.com/broker-healthcare-consultants/) Test out configurations with our ROI Calculator and get shareable resources for your clients. --- ###### [Blog](https://blog.ulliance.com) [Contact Us](https://ulliance.com/get-a-quote) ###### [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Ulliance/) [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ulliance/) [twitter](https://twitter.com/Ulliance) [pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/ulliance/pins/) [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ulliance-inc/) [ULLIANCE HQ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ulliance,+Inc./@42.5620874,-83.1965503,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x8824c6a07511aa29:0xdf123af96248279b!8m2!3d42.5620874!4d-83.1939754!16s%2Fg%2F1260krrwn?authuser=0&hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)  3250 W. 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