Dealing with Traumatic Events

How can workplaces support people when they experience traumatic events?

We know from research that trauma has a lasting impact in the body. My friend and colleague Kara Kalin, CEO of Shiftchange, licensee therapist and EMDR practitioner, often shares with me how important it is to address traumas within the first 90-days to reduce their long-term impact.

Even though we think we’ve navigated a trauma effectively and come out the other side, the long-term impacts on our bodies can go unrecognized for a long time. Historically, trauma has often gone unrecognized or inadequately addressed in both individual and workplace settings. Many organizations lacked awareness of how traumatic experiences impact employees' mental health, performance, and overall well-being.

This lack of understanding has contributed to environments where individuals' needs were overlooked, and trauma responses were either dismissed or misunderstood. Efforts to incorporate trauma-informed care approaches are now becoming more widespread, focusing on safety, resilience, and recovery to create supportive environments in workplaces and other systems​(SAMHSA Store)​(VA.gov | Veterans Affairs).

If you, your people, or your workplaces are impacted by at traumatic event (significant or even minor) understanding how it impacts us, what happens if we don’t address it, and what workplaces/leaders can do differently is critically important.

One day, I hope to see workplaces that institute trauma awareness to the same degree (or greater than) they address safety, harassment, and metrics.

How does trauma impact us?

When we experience traumatic events, our body's stress response system is activated, releasing a surge of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This triggers the "fight, flight, or freeze" response, preparing us to react quickly to the threat.

During this state, our heart rate increases, muscles tense, and breathing becomes rapid, while non-essential functions like digestion slow down. The brain focuses on survival, often bypassing rational thinking and higher reasoning.

If the trauma is overwhelming or unresolved, these physiological and emotional reactions can get "stuck," leading to long-term effects on our nervous system and impacting how we perceive and respond to future stress.

What happens if we don’t address the trauma?

If we don't address a trauma like experiencing a hurricane, the unresolved stress can become stored in the body and the nervous system, leading to ongoing dysregulation. This may manifest as chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, difficulty sleeping, or a constant feeling of being on edge.

Our brain and body might remain in a heightened state of alert, as if the danger is still present, even when the immediate threat has passed. Over time, this can impact our physical health, contribute to mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders, and affect our ability to cope with future stressors.

Unresolved trauma can also influence our relationships, decision-making, and overall quality of life, limiting our capacity to feel safe, connected, and grounded.

How does this impact people at work?

Unresolved trauma can significantly impact people at work by affecting their ability to focus, make decisions, and manage stress effectively.

• They may struggle with concentration, have difficulty remembering tasks, or feel overwhelmed by their workload
• Their emotional responses might become more intense or unpredictable, leading to irritability, anxiety, or burnout.
• This can also impact teamwork, as individuals may have trouble communicating, trusting colleagues, or managing conflict constructively.
• Additionally, people dealing with trauma might avoid challenges or shy away from leadership roles, limiting their growth and career development.
• Over time, these effects can reduce overall productivity, job satisfaction, and engagement, creating a ripple effect that influences the entire work environment.

Clearly, ignoring the effects of trauma is unwise and leaders need to be aware of both the impact and options for how to address it effectively.

What can workplaces do?

Most importantly, workplaces need to create a compassionate and supportive environment. One that acknowledges the impact of a traumatic experience. Leaders and workplaces that are already practicing embodied authentic leadership will naturally respond by being the most compassionate, creative and courageous leader they can be.

Additionally, I am a huge proponent of offering immediate support and therapy, such as the EMDR ASSYST protocol (LEARN MORE) to those who are directly impacted. It’s important to go beyond simply sharing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) contact information and actually proactively educate and encourage people to utilize these resources. The more barriers than can be removed the better.

Conclusion

In conclusion, supporting employees through traumatic events is not just a compassionate choice—it's essential for fostering a resilient and productive workplace. Trauma's impact on the body and mind can significantly affect an individual’s well-being, performance, and interactions at work. By adopting trauma-informed care principles, workplaces can create a culture that recognizes the long-term effects of trauma and actively supports recovery.

Implementing practices like immediate access to support resources and promoting an environment of empathy and understanding can make a transformative difference. Leaders who approach these situations with compassion, creativity, and courage can help employees heal, grow, and thrive despite the challenges they face.

By prioritizing mental health and trauma awareness, organizations not only support their employees' well-being but also strengthen the foundation of their overall organizational culture, creating a safer, more connected, and resilient work environment for everyone.