SENSITIVE ISSUES & SITUATIONS FOR WHICH EMPLOYERS SHOULD PREPARE

There are some daily events that happen in business, which most employers expect to happen, for which they are usually prepared how to handle.  However, some circumstances that develop can catch you/the employer off guard and stumped (at least temporarily) as how to react.  Most of these are sensitive matters that most of us are reluctant to discuss.

1. A sudden death of an employee or his/her immediate family.  All employees feel awkward, though maybe empathetic.  They don't know what to say to the employee, and some employers have no policy or guidance on how to handle this.
2. Another scenario could be if an employee has personal hygiene problems, which is causing an unpleasant situation in the workplace.  Whether it be body odor or really bad breath (usually dental related), etc., the company HR is often expected to approach the person.  This is still very awkward and embarrassing for all.
3. Integrity issues may also be a matter that develops, when an employee catches one or more employees stealing materials, money, etc. from the employer.  This leaves the one employee forced to determine what steps to take.  If the company has not given guidance in an employee handbook or policy manual, it leaves that employee wondering where to turn.
4. Inappropriate behavior in the workplace is another situation that is a personal and sensitive matter, and there needs to be clear instructions for the person affected on how to handle this?  Who do they turn to?  What are the guidelines to follow or criteria to determine how this is viewed by the employer.  (Bullying, sexual harassment, etc.)
5. Don't forget the latest challenge of intellectual property, which have been known to be stolen from employers.  Downloading data from your employer's computers or technical storage is definitely stealing as well.

These are just some scenarios that can develop in a workplace.  Most employers want to provide a safe and professional work environment for their employees.  However, when dealing with "humans", any of these situations can develop.  Does your company have clear guidance for their employees in such situations or others?  Do your employees know to whom to turn for help?

So there are two things for employers to consider:
1) Be sure there are specific rules and guidelines for employees to follow in such cases.
2) To select a professional HR firm to provide training on such events so that the employees are instructed by an impartial HR professional or expert.