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Workplace Options' Response to Cumbrian Shootings
3 June 2010 – London – The nation was shocked when on 3 June 2010, a gunman killed 12 people and injured 25 more, across a number of small villages in Cumbria, in the UK's worst shooting incident since the Dunblane massacre. We are aware that this incident may impact upon many individuals and organisations and outline the support available during this difficult and upsetting time.
You may have an employee who was involved directly in the incident. Perhaps they witnessed a shooting, were one of the villagers in hiding, or came to the aid of someone who was injured. Those close to the people involved may also find themselves dealing with the trauma they experienced. And of course, loved ones, friends and colleagues of someone who was injured or died will be going through a very difficult time.
For people previously involved in traumatic events, yesterday’s incidents could re-ignite emotions and memories which have been hidden or managed until now. This could be similar high-profile incidents such as the Dunblane and Hungerford shootings or the 7 July bombings or something more personal to an individual which, as an employer, you may be unaware of.
While incidents such as this are undoubtedly rare, they challenge our very understanding of the safety and security of the world in which we live. Your employees and those close to them may feel a little more vulnerable today than they did yesterday. Children may also be asking many questions which their parents find difficult to answer.
In addition, as an organisation, you may need some guidance on how to help managers, team leaders and supervisors support employees and identify those people who are not coping.
One final point to remember is that trauma and responses to it can be delayed. So while it’s important to reach out to employees now, it’s also essential to keep an eye out for individuals or teams who may experience a delayed reaction to yesterday’s tragic events.
Here you will find some fact sheets on a range of issues relating to this incident which you may find useful. Workplace Options’ Employee Assistance Programmes offer a range of 24/7 practical support to organisations and their employees, including trauma counselling. We can also mobilise our trauma specialists to provide on-site support should an organisation require it for their employees.
For further information or assistance, please contact us on +44 (0) 20 8987 6579 or email us here.
Please review the following fact sheets:
Coping with Trauma How can Families be Supportive
Coping with Traumatic Events Advice for Managers
Helping your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of Shootings
Managing Your Distress in the Aftermath of a Mass Shooting
Post Traumatic Stress A Self-help Guide
Psychosocial Reactions to a Major Incident
Relaxation Exercises
About Workplace Options
Workplace Options helps employees balance their work, family and personal life in order to make their lives healthier, easier and more productive. The company’s world-class Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and work-life services provide information, resources, referrals and counselling on a variety of issues ranging from dependent care, legal and financial issues to mental health, stress management and addiction.
Drawing from an international network of accredited providers and professionals, Workplace Options is the world’s largest integrated EAP and work-life services provider. Service centres in London, Raleigh. N.C., Toronto and Dublin support more than 22 million employees in 16,000 organisations, across 153 countries. To learn more, visit www.workplaceoptions.com.
© 2010 Workplace Options, Inc. All rights reserved.
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