Starting a new job while grieving

Losing a parent
1

My mum died just over a week ago. I was supposed to start a new job today, but put it off to next week in the circumstances, which the company was fine about. However, I’m really worried about starting the new job. I had been unemployed for 6 months after redundancy, so it’s a big deal and I can’t afford to mess up.

My mum’s GP is being really slow to provide the coroner with the necessary info, which in turn means we can’t begin to sort out the funeral or any other arrangements, so my siblings and I are in limbo. We have 3 weeks left in which to clear mum’s flat, which adds to the stress.

My new employer is being very reasonable, but my new line manager is a lot younger than me and has admitted she doesn’t know what grief feels like, so I’m also worried that it may get awkward if I am struggling or need time off for something.

Sorry this is a bit rambling, but my head’s all over the place at the moment and I just wondered if anyone had been in a similar position re work/grief?

1 Like
2

Oh gosh, that’s such a difficult situation.

I think I’d be tempted to speak to them and explain that while you’re really grateful for their flexibility so far, you’re going to need to delay your start date (or start the job on sick leave, with a fit note from your GP?)

Hopefully they’ll understand that job performance is likely to be compromised after such a devastating loss, and hopefully they’ll be able to do what they can to cover the missed time while you take the necessary time away from work.

I hope it works out :yellow_heart:.