While managers have duties and obligations that may vary from time to time, there is one certainty that they will face: a personal crisis in the office. How the manager or boss handles such a situation with an employee is frequently a test of that person’s leadership and professionalism. Here are suggestions:

Remain as the Boss; Do Not Be a Friend

Lending an employee space is better than lending him or her an ear. Being sympathetic should not involve personal interaction. Instead, the manager or employer can give the troubled employee time off to deal with the critical situation, or the employer can sympathetically assist in finding resources for support. He or she must also be cautious when granting a worker leave as some companies have restrictions.

Work Out a Timeline

Being sympathetic does not include being lenient. A manager should plan with the employee the time off that is needed. Sometimes, it is just a matter of the employee leaving early. A good move is to team the employee with another one so that work can easily be managed by someone else if needed. The manager should also not forget to reward those who pick up the workload and to express appreciation.

Treat Everyone Fairly

Making sure that no employee gets more consideration than the others is essential when managing a team. Every employee should receive equal and fair treatment. Having a plan for unforeseen circumstances is also wise. It ensures that things continue to be as close to the usual routine as possible, thus reducing stress on all workers. Suppose an employer has maintained a good rapport with employees and an atmosphere of understanding and compassion. In that case, workers are more likely to approach their employer when they experience difficult circumstances in their personal lives.

Maintain a Professional Role

While employers need to show genuine concern for an employee having difficulties, they also must retain a professional relationship by hold to certain boundaries as they display compassion. Doing so will inspire respect and trust in employees. Professional compassion–not prying or becoming a personal confidant–in the work environment will encourage employees to be proactive and speak with their employer when they are having personal problems. Lending an ear rather than lending advice is a fair policy. A competent manager is understanding while also keeping workers focused on their tasks.