Grieving in the Workplace: Understanding and Navigating Emotional Labor

In this episode of 'Grief is the New Normal,' Dr. Heather Taylor discusses the challenges of grieving while maintaining professional responsibilities. She highlights the unrealistic expectations placed on individuals returning to work after a loss, the emotional labor involved in coping at the workplace, and the detrimental effects on both individuals and organizations. Dr. Taylor offers insights into creating a grief-informed work culture, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, long-term support, and open discussions about grief. Practical strategies and a call to action are provided to help listeners advocate for change and seek the necessary support during their grief journey.

00:00 Introduction to Grief in the Workplace

01:21 Unrealistic Expectations and Emotional Labor

02:00 Story Time: Real-Life Experiences

03:07 The Impact of Returning to Office

05:44 Emotional Labor and Its Consequences

07:08 Building Grief-Informed Workplaces

08:18 Practical Strategies for Supporting Grievers

10:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Grief is the New Normal is the podcast that refuses to sugarcoat loss—because grief isn’t a problem to fix, it’s a reality to live with. Hosted by Dr. Heather Taylor, a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience in grief, trauma, and reproductive psychology, this show dives deep into the messy, nonlinear, and very real ways grief impacts our lives.

Whether you're navigating the death of your person, wrestling with the weight of an invisible loss, or trying to figure out who you even are after everything changed—this podcast is here for you. With a mix of solo deep dives, expert interviews, and candid conversations, Dr. Taylor unpacks the emotions no one warns you about, challenges outdated grief narratives, and offers both practical tools and hard-earned wisdom to help you feel less alone.

No toxic positivity. No “fixing” your grief. Just honest talk, validation, and the reminder that you don’t have to do this alone. Because in a world that wants you to move on, Grief is the New Normal is here to help you move through.

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Wanting more grief specific support? Check out my grief journal, Authentically Unapologetic: A Grief Journal available for purchase thru this link: https://a.co/d/4hbLtbX

Dive deeper into your grief support skills with the Professional Grief Collective. This exclusive membership offers targeted training and resources for clinicians and coaches who are ready to elevate their practice. Don’t miss out—join our community today and start transforming the way you support those in grief. Check out the details in our show notes or visit https://bit.ly/GriefClinicianMembership

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Opening & Closing Music by The Dadicorns

Copyright 2024 Grief is the New Normal: A podcast with Dr. Heather Taylor

All Rights Reserved.

This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The information discussed in this podcast is not a replacement or substitute for therapy.