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​​​Crisis Response

​​​​​When a Critical Incident Occurs in the Workplace

As a supervisor, you are the first person whom your employees look to after a critical incident has happened in the workplace.  A critical incident in the workplace is any situation out of the typical experience that can cause a period of acute stress. A typical critical incident may include an injury or death of a colleague, a violent event at the workplace, a bomb or fire threat, a natural disaster or any other traumatic experience. 

There is a natural stress response which can lead to overall distress, something that occurs when a person has demands or expectations that do not match their abilities, skills, and coping strategies at the time, leading to an overall decline in their wellbeing and performance in any situation. Not everyone will need support to assimilate and cope following an incident, however others will. Each person’s ability to successfully manage the acute stress following a critical incident will be specific to them and there are no right or wrong reactions.  

​Some common reactions following a critical incident are:​​​​​

Shock, disbelief
Denial
Fatigue
Feeling on edge or jumpy
Difficulty concentrating
Anxiety
Difficulty talking about the incident
Anger
Not wanting to return to the workplace

No one is ever fully prepared for a traumatic workplace incident. Unexpected stressful events can have a negative impact on employees. Having a critical incident response plan can help with the anxiety and uncertainty that can follow, provide much needed support, and help your team on the road to recovery.  ​​​

​After The Critical Incident, Be Sure To:​

    1. ​Distribute factual information regarding the incident to the impacted workgroup as soon as possible.
    2. ​If possible, touch base specifically with each member of your team to ask how they are doing after the critical incident.
    3. If possible, suspend normal daily work activities after an incident.
    4. Try not to let your work duties interfere with keeping close to your team in the days following the incident.​

​​Utilize Additional Resources:​

    1. ​​​​​​​​​​Consult with KEAP for guidance on talking with your staff and arranging a time for the KEAP counselor to come onsite to meet with your team, if desired. KEAP counselors are trained to respond to the unique emotional needs of a group after they have experienced a trauma.
    2. ​Familiarize yourself with HR procedures should a team member need time off after an incident.
    3. ​​​Take care of yourself. It’s okay to let your team know that you are angry, nervous, overwhelmed, etc.  Allow yourself time to relax, spend time with your family and friends. Limiting TV and social media will assist you in helping to calm your staff and give them some much needed support following a critical incident media exposure. Consider using KEAP as a resource for yourself.​
Go to this ​ help sheet​ for assistance as you prepare for and plan a response following a critical incident.​


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