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 02,2019
Editorial | Aug 31,2019
Editorial | Jul 25,2020
Life Matters | Mar 28,2020
Radar | Jun 14,2020
Editorial | Jun 05,2021
Covid-19 | Mar 21,2020
Viewpoints | May 23,2020
Viewpoints | Apr 15,2023
Viewpoints | Feb 17,2024
Photo Gallery | 96519 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 88800 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 67123 Views | Aug 14,2021
Commentaries | 65748 Views | Oct 02,2021
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 6 , 2024
In a rather unsettling turn of events, the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (C...
Mar 30 , 2024
Ethiopian authorities find themselves at a crossroads in the shadow of a global econo...
Apr 20 , 2024
Ethiopia's economic reform negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are in their fourth round, taking place in Washington, D...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
An undercurrent of controversy surrounds the appointment of founding members of Amhara Bank after regulat...
An ambitious cooperative housing initiative designed to provide thousands with affordable homes is mired...
Apr 20 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Ethiopia's juice manufacturers confront formidable economic challenges following the reclassification of...
Loading your updates...