title: A more humane workplace: responding to child welfare workers' personal losses.
abstract: The personal losses of employees, such as the death of a family member, divorce, or serious illness, can diminish work performance and increase stress. This study surveyed 106 child welfare workers on the type of personal loss they experienced; the kinds of benefits and emotional support they received from their employing organization, supervisor, and coworkers; their expectations; and potential problem areas. Eighty-five percent of the workers endured a loss during their current employment. They received the most help from their coworkers, followed by their immediate supervisors, and then the employing organization. Those suffering a loss would have liked more emotional support, acknowledgment of the loss, and a longer leave of absence for recovery than they received.
authors.affiliation: Youngstown State University Department of Social Work, OH, USA.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: DiGiulio
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D009820:Ohio; D018582:Sick Leave; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace