Viewpoints | Nov 12,2022
Oct 30 , 2022
By Kidist Yidnekachew
Recently, our neighbour lost his wife in a tragic accident. Besides being widowed, the sudden loss of his better half also imposed the responsibility of raising their two-year-old daughter. Seeing the little girl not letting him leave her site touched my heart. She lost her mother at a very young age, and it seems like she is afraid of losing her father too.
The family, friends and colleagues came to his house to pay their respect and comforted him to the best of their abilities. But he had to return to work a few days after the funeral. I was surprised to learn that only a few days are given to mourn your loved ones. It is not fair.
Bereavement requires time. Recovering from the pain of losing a loved one deserves at least a month. This might not be enough to get over the loss of a loved one, but to accept the fact that they are gone, a month will suffice.
Grief is more than a five-letter word. It breaks and changes people.
The feeling of emptiness, similar to having a hole in the heart, is not entirely farfetched. In forming a deeper bond with a loved one, we tend to associate our identity with them; instead of 'I', it becomes 'We'. Losing that dear, beloved person feels like they took some form of the associated identity with them. This is particularly apparent between spouses and children.
Some might argue that the prolonged break could worsen the emotional pain and that returning to work after a few days of bereavement is a good distraction from reality. This is not the case for everyone. People have different ways of dealing with grief. Some weep and express their sadness; others put on a brave face, trying to hide their suffering with a "life goes on" attitude. But they do not believe their own words.
Perhaps this might work for people who do not need to adjust to their unfamiliar duty. A prolonged mourning time could open the door to self-destructive habits. But, for people such as my neighbour, the time could be advantageous to strengthen their profound responsibility.
The little girl needs to bond with her father, slowly realising the idea that her mother is not coming back. Bonding time is essential for children at that age. Raising a child without having anyone to help is a challenge on its own; returning to work after a few mourning days as if nothing happened makes it even worse.
Understandably, employees have duties and responsibilities to carry out, but does it have to come at the expense of their well-being?
They cannot be fully functional if they return to their desks. Other coworkers can fill the void until they are emotionally ready and mentally stable. There will come a time when the dues are paid, as these incidents happen to us all. This should apply to immediate family members, or people may find loopholes to turn it into a long overdue vacation.
Bereavement leave, also known as compassionate leave, lasts from one to five days in some countries and is often supported with payment. Lawyers specialising in labour issues told me that there is no specific law that gives time off for mourners. The mourning period should be extended to allow employees to make adjustments.
PUBLISHED ON
Oct 30,2022 [ VOL
23 , NO
1174]
Viewpoints | Nov 12,2022
Editorial | Sep 28,2019
Radar | Sep 08,2019
In-Picture | Oct 26,2019
Fortune News | Jan 28,2023
Sunday with Eden | Nov 09,2024
Fortune News | Aug 17,2019
Life Matters | Mar 28,2020
My Opinion | Mar 14,2020
Viewpoints | Nov 02,2019
Photo Gallery | 192260 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 182031 Views | Apr 26,2019
Photo Gallery | 178774 Views | Oct 06,2021
My Opinion | 144286 Views | Aug 14,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Jul 25 , 2026
Ideally, citizens who have paid income tax all year should not have to reach for thei...
Jul 18 , 2026
Pressed in Parliament on jobs and household incomes, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD)...
Jul 11 , 2026
At a market stall, reform arrives without a communique. It comes as a higher transpor...
Jul 4 , 2026
In the goldfields of the Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia's balance-of-paym...
Jul 25 , 2026 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Global Bank's Board of Directors have overhauled top management, after suspending sev...
Jul 25 , 2026 . By NAHOM AYELE
Judges at the Federal High Court have overturned the National Lottery Administration...
A newly enacted regulation by the Council of Ministers lets eligible producers pledge...
Jul 25 , 2026 . By FITSUM TADESSE
A fuel tanker carrying tens of thousands of litres was confiscated after its driver a...
Loading your updates...