It takes courage to address uncomfortable topics, but Jennifer Landon, VP of Education and Workforce Development is up for the challenge.

Landon recently presented “Grief: A Hidden Safety Risk” at the Women in Safety Conference at Keene State College and at the National Safety Council's 96th Annual Maine Safety and Health Conference. “Grief is a natural and normal response to loss, but it can be a complex and often misunderstood emotion. Grief messes with our brains and our bodies," says Landon. Here are some ‘scary’ facts she talked about at the conference earlier this month: 

• Unsupported grief in the workplace costs companies up to $225.8 billion every year
• It’s estimated that 1.5 million children in the US have lost one or both parents by age 15 (this is our future workforce)
• 90% of those who work in physical jobs are more likely to get injured due to lack of concentration (hence…grief is a hidden safety risk)
• It is estimated that 1 in 4 employees is grieving at any given time

"Grief can display much the same as mental health challenges," adds Landon. "Experiencing grief is not a sign of weakness or something to be afraid of. It's a journey that looks different for everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It's a process that requires time, patience, and self-compassion."

Landon is a Certified Grief Educator & Coach, Construction Suicide Prevention Trainer and Mental Health First Aid Responder. She has presented on the topic of workplace grief at national and regional conferences and has facilitated workshops for associations and organizations. To learn how you can create psychologically safe workplace cultures that are grief sensitive, contact Jennifer.

Thank you to the ABC members who sponsored the Women in Safety Conference: RH White, Contractors Risk Management, White Cap