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To the RI SHRM & DAIP Communities,
We are writing to you jointly to reinforce the importance of unity during this very difficult time, and to create space for each of you to process our collective heartbreak surrounding the acts of violence and hate happening in Israel and Palestine, as well as other global conflicts and wars happening at this time.
As a society, we have been greatly desensitized in recent years—through exposure to COVID death tolls, social justice movements related to racial disparities and persecutions, lockdowns, and so much more. You may feel an urgency to turn off your TV and notifications and disengage from the news at this time—and I want to remind us of what a privilege that is.
So many of our colleagues, loved ones, and neighbors do not share this privilege with us, and are perhaps coming into work tired or scared for themselves or their loved ones. They may be asking to work from home to isolate themselves to grieve or process emotions. They are perhaps presenting in a meeting today, not knowing they could have asked for time off.
As HR, DEI, and people leaders, we have a responsibility to encourage our teams during moments like this, and to consider the human impact this moment has on the morale of our people. This is a chance for us as leaders to be open and transparent with our team members, and to check in with them. We may not know the full extent of the personal connections, past traumas, and aspects of identity that are making current events particularly difficult for those around us.
Wondering where to start? We invite you to consider the following options for yourself and your team:
- Self-care practices & breathing exercises
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READ: What is Box Breathing??
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WATCH/LISTEN (in English): Box breathing relaxation technique: how to calm feelings of stress or anxiety
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WATCH/LISTEN (in Español): Atencion Plena ejercicio #3: Box Breathing Mindfulness (in Spanish w/ subtitles)
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Employee assistance programs: remind employees of available programs (if applicable).
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Join us for a moment of silence: DAIP & RI SHRM, along with other organizations, will participate in a moment of silence at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, October 13th. You may take part from wherever you are at that time.
We’re all navigating the unknown territory of how to effectively handle these complex conversations during an emotionally-charged time (due to tensions that exist because of conflicts which have occurred for millenia, and involve layers of ethnic and religious identity). In times like these, we must remind ourselves of the resiliency and empathy that we as humans have the innate ability to develop. We’ve seen it happen during other times of division and conflict, where humans have ultimately come together and found mutuality in what we thought was a collision of beliefs. When we cannot find refuge or solutions at work or at home, I invite you to reflect on this quote by the late Hermann Hess:
“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”
Let’s take care of ourselves so we can take care of one another.
Sincerely,
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