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Coping with Loss in the Workplace

Loss in our private life doesn’t stay at home – it comes with us into the office.

On this lecture, we open a topic that is rarely addressed in business: how to respond as a company and as an individual when a colleague loses a loved one or when the whole team loses a co worker. Participants receive very practical sentences, approaches and ideas on how to be human to human in the hardest moments – while still respecting professional boundaries and responsibilities.

Location
At your company or conference (in person or online)
Duration
45–90 minutes (by agreement, with optional Q&A)
Fee
On request, depending on format and duration (keynote / workshop)

Who is this for?

This lecture is based on my experience from the corporate world and on my work with entrepreneurs in periods of grief.

HR, people & culture and wellbeing teams
executive assistants, office managers, team coordinators
team and department leaders
C level and business owners
everyone who is the “first line” of support for employees

This talk will answer questions like:

How do we even talk about death and loss at work?
What can I say to a grieving colleague – and what is better not to say?
How can I support someone returning to work after a loss?
What can we do when a loss affects an entire team or the wider organisation?
How can I stay in touch with grief without burning out or losing myself?

Interested in this lecture?

Why this matters?

We spend most of our day at work, but almost none of us were taught how to be with someone who is grieving. Many companies only have a basic “protocol” (flowers, condolence card, attending the funeral), but lack real space for the emotional and organisational side of loss. When a company knows how to meet grief:

  • employees feel seen as people, not just as roles,
  • leaders are better able to retain key people in the hardest times,
  • the culture becomes safer and more authentic – also in everyday challenges.

This talk helps bridge the gap between good intentions and concrete, human responses.

What will be different after the lecture?

Participants will:

  • better understand how differently people grieve – and why there is no “right way”,
  • have 3–4 simple sentences they can use immediately with a grieving colleague,
  • know how to take the first steps in shaping your company’s basic approach to loss (before, during and after),
  • feel less helpless and less alone when something most difficult happens in their environment.

Interested in this lecture?

Based on a true story

Petra helped me, as a business owner, to go through the loss of my husband – the owner of a large floral corporation – in a way that allowed me to feel both grief and deep peace and gratitude. I wish this kind of support for everyone who is touched by loss, also in the business world.

Client who lost her husband, a senior leader in the company

I collaborate with

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Before the event we explore your context (number of employees, past experiences with loss, current culture) and adapt examples and focus areas accordingly.

Yes – maybe even more. It’s much easier to build a supportive framework before a loss happens. Then leaders and HR teams are far better prepared when it does.

Yes. On request we can add a practical workshop for a smaller group (e.g. leaders / HR) or 1:1 support for key people in your company.

Do you have any further questions?
Contact me:
hola@petraam.com

Interested in this lecture?

About Petra

Petra Arnež Mohorič is a grief coach for entrepreneurs in periods of loss.

She spent more than 20 years in a large international corporation in internal communications and employee wellbeing. Today she stands beside entrepreneurs who are losing or have lost their life partner, and organizations that want to create a culture where it is allowed to grieve and still remain human. She has delivered numerous talks and workshops on grief in the workplace, including at the ADMA Congress.

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