Navigating Divorce in the Workplace: How to Handle a Divorce at Work
Divorce, otherwise known as the dissolution of a relationship, often triggers a flood of overwhelming emotions. For many, this experience ushers in a period of fear and uncertainty about navigating such a tumultuous time. The emotional upheaval this causes can often profoundly affect workplace performance, degrading relationships within the professional sphere.
Divorce Impacts Workplace Performance
Regrettably, in North America, more than a third of marriages end in divorce. This figure climbs to a staggering 60 percent or higher for individuals remarrying. These statistics underscore the prevalence of divorce, a shared experience that many in the workplace may be going through. This is a clear call to action for strategies to better assist those impacted, including children frequently caught in the crossfire. We must help them disengage from the seemingly endless cycle of “divorce-go-round” and steer them towards a healthier, more positive path. This may require more resources and support, but it will provide a foundation for fresh starts in the aftermath of what may seem like a dead end.
Effects of Divorce on Workplace Performance
Ranked second on the conventional stress scale measuring life events, divorce is only surpassed by the death of a spouse or child. The emotional weight and lack of confidence can lead many to buckle under the strain of navigating the division of their lives, marking a clear negative impact on their mental health.
The average cost to an organization for employees going through a divorce has been estimated at over $83,000 per year. With nearly half of marriages ending in divorce, this substantial yet often overlooked cost to businesses needs an effective solution. The Smart Divorce program, a comprehensive resource that provides education, support, and guidance for employees navigating divorce, can help your organization manage this cost and support your employees through this challenging time.
The Impact of Divorce on Performance
According to research by Integrated Organizational Development, a North Carolina-based firm, divorce proceedings can considerably affect workers’ productivity. The estimated cost per worker going through a divorce is approximately $8,300, assuming an average hourly wage of $19.50 and a drop in productivity between 50 and 75 percent. This estimate takes into account the necessary time off a worker might need to handle legal, financial, and psychological challenges arising from their divorce-related grief.
Can Divorce Affect Work Performance?
Divorce, or the breakdown of a relationship, is a highly emotional process. It leads people to a crossroads filled with fear and confusion about the journey ahead. This life-altering event can turn their world upside down, triggering unsettling and distressing emotions. The aftermath of such emotional distress in the workplace can be devastating, negatively affecting both personal life and professional relationships.
Divorce in the Workplace
In North America, close to 50 percent of marriages tragically end in divorce, with the rate rising to a staggering 60 percent for subsequent marriages. However, the societal assumption that divorces are entirely hostile is proven wrong multiple times when people decide to break free from bad relationships and aim for healthier lives. This is a testament to the potential for positive change that divorce can bring. We need to foster such choices by equipping them with the right resources to navigate their path through this challenging time.
Divorce and Workplace Issues
According to the classic rating scale of stressful life events, divorce consistently ranks second, surpassed only by the death of a spouse or child. The overwhelming burden and diminished self-confidence can lead many individuals to buckle under pressure, causing negative moods and reduced concentration.
John Curtis, a representative from Integrated Organizational Development, affirms that divorce proceedings undoubtedly reduce a worker’s productivity. The estimated cost per worker going through a divorce is about $8,300. This figure assumes an average wage of $19.50 per hour, a drop in productivity between 50 percent and 75 percent, and days missed due to the worker taking necessary time off to deal with the legal, financial, and psychological issues related to the divorce.
How to Handle a Divorce at Work
The effects of divorce ranked second only to the death of a spouse or child on a scale of stressful life events, can easily spill into the workplace. This can lead to lost time, more frequent errors, and a stifling of creativity. Angry employees may even project their feelings onto co-workers or customers. The Smart Divorce program, a comprehensive resource that provides education, support, and guidance for employees navigating divorce, eases employees through this challenging and common situation by educating them to manage the divorce process effectively, ensuring they remain mindful and productive at the workplace.
Assistance Programs and Employee Support
Through a tailored program that may include Events and Professional Development, One-on-One Coaching for individual employees, the acclaimed The Smart Divorce book, or a comprehensive The Smart Divorce Guide, we aim to show our support for your employees during this tough time. We strive to help your employees focus on their career goals with hope and confidence so they can contribute more productively to their jobs. This benefits your employees and can result in positive impacts for your organization.
Family Law and Financial Stress
There are numerous reasons why your organization might want to consider The Smart Divorce:
- 90% of workplace violence is related to employee divorce and child custody problems
- Child custody issues may lead to problems with health care administration, absenteeism, time off for court dates, and shortened hours.
- It can take up to 5 years for employee productivity to rebound post-divorce
Consider the Smart Divorce program to equip your organization with cost-effective resources to maintain productivity and mindfulness. Contact Sarah at (647) 493-1800 or complete an inquiry form for more details.
Free Consultation for Your Employees
For more on The Smart Divorce events, professional development opportunities, One-on-One Divorce Coaching, The Smart Divorce book, and The Smart Divorce Guide, call Sarah today at (647) 493-1800 or complete an inquiry form. These cost-effective resources may help your employees maintain focus and productivity during a challenging time.
Sources: Integrated Organizational Development (http://www.iodinc.com/). Based on an average wage of $19.50/hr and ten employees divorcing per year. Lost productivity of divorcing employees is estimated based on a divorcing employee’s performance falling 50% – 75%. Assumes time off spent dealing with legal, financial, and psychological issues related to divorce and loss of productivity as a result of time spent dealing directly/indirectly with issues of employees’ performance and productivity. – Allan Gorman – Vice President of Marriage Works of Hartford County
Final Reflections
It can be challenging to navigate the turbulent seas of a marital breakdown, which frequently results in low mood and poor concentration. This emotional turmoil can negatively impact a person’s personal and professional relationships and impair performance at work.
In North America, divorce occurs in more than one-third of marriages, and the rate soars to a startling 60 percent for successive unions. This cultural reality emphasizes the need for more tools and services to assist people in dividing their lives and coping with the sadness associated with divorce.
Divorce procedures might significantly impact workplace productivity. Considering the time off required to address the legal, financial, and psychological obstacles, the cost per employee going through a divorce is anticipated to be around $8,300. This statistic strongly reminds managers and employers to give their staff the assistance they need during these challenging times.
The Smart Divorce and other similar programs can help in this case. By offering one-on-one coaching, opportunities for professional growth, and other tools, they assist people in maintaining a clear focus on their career goals, which has a positive and beneficial effect on the workplace.
In conclusion, even though divorce might have terrible repercussions, it’s crucial to remember that it’s not the end. With the correct resources and support, people can go through this challenging time and come out the other side with a fresh perspective on life. They have the power to leave behind unhealthy relationships and take steps toward leading fulfilling lives. This benefits individuals and their employers because happier, healthier workers are more productive.
Keep in mind that how you handle the separation—not the breakup—matters. With the correct assistance, you can turn a bad situation into a good one, putting all of your time and effort into creating a better future.
