Does anyone have a notice that they have sent to employees informing them of a death and/or tragedy to coworker? I need to send something out ASAP. Thanks for your help.
Submitted by: Ms. Mary
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I would be VERY CAREFUL about including any specific health-related info or too many details about the cause of death. You don't want to violate any of the HIPPA rules.
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Anonymous on
9/29/2008 7:30:16 AM
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Kathi, I totally agree with your comment. We had an employee die suddenly, and there were several people in the office actually looking for the person! It was very sad, and very hard on all employees because no one was notified of the death. A lesson learned for sure.
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Kathy J. on
9/25/2008 9:46:33 AM
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http://humanresources.about.com/od/healthsafetyandwellness/a/tragedy_work_2.htm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4422/is_n8_v9/ai_12876953
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Anonymous on
9/23/2008 8:00:25 AM
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Just a quick note as a follow up to locations that do not acknowledge or are cautious regarding acknowledging a tragedy or death of a co-worker. I personally find it very sad that a location would choose not to inform employees of a tragedy or a death within their location, provided the gesture has been approved by the affected employee. The examples that have been provided are professional and well-written. Thank you, as I'm sure they will come in handy in the future.
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Kathi Robinson on
9/22/2008 2:45:44 PM
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I am in Southern California and a few weeks ago a tragic train accident happened and many people were killed an injured. The president of Cal State sent out the following message to the campus community:
This is a special message to the California State University, Northridge community from President Jolene Koester.
As I'm sure you know, a serious train accident took place Friday afternoon at about 4:30 p.m. in Chatsworth involving Metrolink #111.
Our thoughts at this time are with the families, friends, and loved ones of all victims, and particularly those within our Cal State Northridge community.
We are in the process of outlining plans to provide counseling and support to members of our campus community impacted by this tragedy.
Our police officers remain at the scene, assisting with perimeter security and traffic control.
We will provide additional information to the campus community as it becomes available
In our office we had a coworker die a few years ago and basically the message to the staff was:
It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of our co-worker (name). We extend our sympathies to her friends and family at this time of sadness.
Following that was information with respect to any wake and burial information and any requests from the family for charitable donations.
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Patricia Donnellan on
9/22/2008 2:43:09 PM
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Hope this helps.
It is with much sadness that I inform you of the passing of (person) (or person’s family member) on August 18th, 2008.
Condolences may be sent to person or person’s family at (address).
Donations may be made to the (fund requested)
Funeral arrangements are:
List funeral home – date and hours of visitation
Burial at:
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Christy Bedell on
9/22/2008 2:18:22 PM
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For privacy reasons, we do not and honestly I would caution you about doing so.
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Jamie on
9/22/2008 2:00:16 PM
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We use something along these lines.
Earlier this week, we lost a valuable member of our COMPANY NAME family, EMPLOYEE NAME, to tragic circumstances (this can be changed to something more specific if desired … after a lengthy illness, after his brief battle with cancer, etc.) EMPLOYEE NAME was a member of the COMPANY NAME training team and for the past 15 years with COMPANY NAME has worked closely with many of you and developed numerous friendships around the world. To each of you who knew him, I offer my deepest sympathy.
I wanted you to know that his family will hold funeral services in Boston, Massachusetts but we will have an opportunity to honor EMPLOYEE'S NAME life at a memorial service and reception scheduled for DATE, at St. XXX Catholic Church in City, State, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity in EMPLOYEE'S NAME memory instead.
Hope this helps you.
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Donna Chizek on
9/22/2008 1:21:34 PM
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Mary,
Careful about sending out an announcement. If you have a Human Resources Department, they will handle any announcement, if they deem it is necessary. Usually, a family member should be contacted to approve any global announcement that is made in a company regarding a recently deceased employee.
If your company is small, and you do not have a HR Department, I would suggest you send out just the name of the employee, the department they worked in, years of service and information regarding the funeral services; there again, if approved by the family.
It is a touchy and sensitive situation.
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Judith on
9/22/2008 1:20:20 PM
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I used to have to communicate this information, and celebrations - like babies - to our employees when something happened. I usually sent the message via email with the wording like "It is with regret that we inform you of ......" If your company allows, there is a clip art of a dove or baby that is appropriate.
Wording for different scenarios could be similar to those below -
FUNERAL - We regretfully inform you that Jane Doe passed away (day/date) (of what could be added here). Jane was the mother/sister/wife of John Doe from (area of the company). Visitation is scheduled at (day/date/time) at (name, address, phone number of funeral home or church). Services will be held at (day/date/time) at (name, address, phone number of funeral home or church). (If the family requests memorials rather than flowers, this is where you would put it.) Please keep John and his family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
BABY - Congratulations to Jane and John Doe on their new son/daughter/grandchild, (baby's name). (Baby's name) arrived on (day/date) at (time), weighing in at (weight), and XXX inches long. Jane and (baby's name) are doing fine. Big brother/sister (children's names) cannot wait for Mom and (baby's name) to get home.
TRAGEDY (example) - It is with a sad heart that we inform you that Jane Doe's son/daugher (name) was injured in an auto accident yesterday. He/she is still in the hospital/at home recovering with minimal/extensive injuries. Please keep this family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
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DeeDee on
9/22/2008 1:19:02 PM
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