Read what publications said about recent Compassionate Employer Recognition recipients
View photographs of Compassionate Employer Recognition presentations
We in The Compassionate Friends have heard many stories from our members about how their grief was handled in the workplace. Some of these stories have been heartwarming and reassuring, depicting employers that provided a caring, understanding environment for employees grieving the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild. Others, however, have reminded us that much progress remains to be made.Through its Compassionate Employer Recognition (CER) Program, The Compassionate Friends seeks to recognize those caring companies and other organizations whose workplace policies and practices go above and beyond the norm in providing a caring workplace for employees who have suffered the death of a child, sibling or grandchild.
Nominations for 2009 Compassionate Employer Recognition are now being accepted.
Nominations will be accepted until midnight, November 30, 2008.
Compassionate Employer Recognition recipients will be announced March 2, 2009.
Criteria for Compassionate Employer Recognition
- Nominations will only be accepted from current and past employees of the company who experienced the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild while employed there. Nominations by others will not be accepted.
- The employee submitting the nomination must live within the U.S. or its territories, and the company (or division)
being nominated must also be located in the U.S. or its territories.- Companies with the specific purpose of helping the bereaved are not eligible for nomination.
Examples of company policies and management practices that would qualify an employer for recognition include, but are not limited to:
Allowing additional time off without loss of benefits.
Providing flexible work schedules and assignments.
Allowing leeway in job performance standards.
Fostering an environment of mutual support among coworkers.
Providing professional grief counseling, human resources support, or information regarding self-help bereavement support organizations.
Other policies and practices that go beyond what is normal in your community
Please direct your questions to Wayne Loder, Public Awareness Coordinator.
Compassionate Employers Recognition Frequently Asked Questions
See press release: Bereaved Parent, Sibling Organization
Recognizes 95 Compassionate Employers Nationwide
The
mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the
positive resolution of grief
following the death of a child of any age
and to provide information to help others be supportive.