Bereavement Leave & Return to Work Guide

I'm returning to work after a bereavement. Help me navigate this transition.

Who I lost: [RELATIONSHIP]
Time off: [HOW LONG]

How I'm feeling about returning: [DREADING IT / WANT DISTRACTION / MIXED / NOT READY BUT HAVE TO]
Workplace support: [SUPPORTIVE / NEUTRAL / UNSURE]

Provide:
1. **Pre-Return Preparation**: What to do in the days before going back
2. **Manager Conversation**: How to have an honest conversation about what I need
3. **First Day Plan**: Structure for my first day back (keep it gentle)
4. **Trigger Anticipation**: Things at work that might trigger grief and how to handle them
5. **Colleague Scripts**: What to say when people ask "how are you" and you don't know
6. **Energy Management**: Grief is exhausting — how to manage workload accordingly
7. **Crying at Work**: It's okay. Here's how to handle it practically
8. **Boundaries**: What to say to people who are either too intrusive or pretend nothing happened
9. **Gradual Return**: How to discuss phased return or adjusted hours
10. **Long-Term Grief at Work**: Grief doesn't end after two weeks — ongoing strategies

I'm returning to work after a bereavement. Help me navigate this transition.

Who I lost: [RELATIONSHIP]
Time off: [HOW LONG]
How I'm feeling about returning: [DREADING IT / WANT DISTRACTION / MIXED / NOT READY BUT HAVE TO]
Workplace support: [SUPPORTIVE / NEUTRAL / UNSURE]

Provide:
1. **Pre-Return Preparation**: What to do in the days before going back
2. **Manager Conversation**: How to have an honest conversation about what I need
3. **First Day Plan**: Structure for my first day back (keep it gentle)
4. **Trigger Anticipation**: Things at work that might trigger grief and how to handle them
5. **Colleague Scripts**: What to say when people ask "how are you" and you don't know
6. **Energy Management**: Grief is exhausting — how to manage workload accordingly
7. **Crying at Work**: It's okay. Here's how to handle it practically
8. **Boundaries**: What to say to people who are either too intrusive or pretend nothing happened
9. **Gradual Return**: How to discuss phased return or adjusted hours
10. **Long-Term Grief at Work**: Grief doesn't end after two weeks — ongoing strategies