At this difficult time, we hope that we can provide you with some information that will allow you to feel supported.

Counseling is available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and/or through coverage provided for psychological services under the 不良研究所 Supplemental Health Plan (up to 2000$ per year at 80% coverage for recognized practitioners).

Bereavement leave : a certain number of days off (up to 6) are provided to a staff member experiencing the losses listed in the Social Leave Policy, section 4.1. While in some cases the allocation may be sufficient, in many cases it will not be, and should be considered in combination with other measures.

Short term disability can be appropriate; a person who goes on short-term disability leave can obtain a progressive return to work (may be better to use official leave to ensure the progressive return is respected). A medical note will be required but can be shared exclusively with an HR representative or Disability Management Advisor (it does not have to be submitted to your chair or director) and where a leave is approved, it provides for the continuation of 100% of regular salary for a period of up to six months.

Consider the option of a reduced load appointment or phased retirement, when appropriate for your stage of career being mindful of the negative correlated impact on compensation.

A community research partner, who became a friend and mentor, passed away after 10 years of collaboration. He joined my lab as a part-time research assistant after he retired. We wish he could continue to inspire us today. After his death, I mostly focused on supporting my graduate students. I ensured that students had grief resources from the Wellness Hub and access to other well-being supports. I continued to teach (and did not deliver a great lecture) and convinced myself I needed to 鈥減ull my socks up 鈥渁nd marshal on. Talking to my chair might have allowed me to explore options such as teaching relief, extra TA hours; or less service work. Unfortunately, I was uncomfortable asking for this support. In hindsight, I wish I had given myself the grace I gave my students.聽

Shane Sweet, Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Physical Education

When you come back to work, you may wish to discuss your needs for accommodation and flexibility with your chair/director. Consider the elements of the work that cause most strain and whether you would like to have an open discussion with your chair on how you may have some relief from, or defer, certain duties.

Elements to consider:

• Reduction of teaching or co-teaching or occasional remote teaching
• Lab concerns (who takes over, need consultation)
• Reduction of service (some committees that represent more of a burden)

It may be helpful to provide a brief explanation of the impact of your grief on productivity in future activity reports so that this can be understood as an extenuating circumstance in assessing your academic performance.

Be kind to yourself and accept that you may need help; lean into the support offered and accept that work and personal life are more difficult to keep neatly separated when grieving. You may observe that you have behavioural changes, you become short-tempered, etc. You may need to book yourself 鈥渢ime outs鈥�, 鈥渂reaks鈥�, 鈥渨alks鈥� when you come back to work even on busy days.