In today's fast-paced and demanding work environments, transparency and trust are essential in creating a supportive workplace culture. Yet, many organizations overlook a crucial element impacting their workforce: trauma. Fifty percent of workers enter the workforce with pre-existing trauma. As such, it is essential for leaders to recognize the intersection between workplaces and trauma. By understanding and addressing this intersection, we can cultivate environments where compassionate communication and empathetic leadership become the new normal, thereby increasing workplace holistic safety.
Defining Trauma
Trauma results from a single event, a series of events, or a set of circumstances that an individual experiences as physically or emotionally overwhelming, harmful, or life-threatening. The effects of trauma can be long-lasting, impacting an individual's mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. (SAMHSA)
Examples of trauma include:
Divorce, which is often a traumatic process lasting between 1 to 4 years.
A child experiencing health issues that require medical care and missing school.
An aging parent in declining health.
An accident where someone was injured.
Prevalence of Trauma
Trauma is a public health crisis due to its frequency and profound effect on society. It is more prevalent than commonly understood, with studies showing that 70-90% of people experience trauma, often during childhood. Many individuals report going through five distinct traumatic experiences in their lifetime. People from all social classes and settings are affected by trauma, making it a pervasive issue that impacts all workplaces.
There is no "us" and "them" when it comes to trauma—it's a human issue. Trauma is ultimately a safety issue, encompassing both physical and emotional safety, as well as relational interactions within the workplace.
The link between workplace safety and productivity is well-documented. Organizations that are not trauma-aware and trauma-informed risk not only the wellbeing of their employees but also their overall productivity and success.
Impact of Our Workplace Environment
Our careers span decades, with the average person working for 25 to 30 years and investing approximately 90,000 working hours. Given this significant time and energy investment, our work environments and relationships are central to our overall wellness. We spend 20-30% of our lives working, and the quality of our workplace environment has a profound impact on our wellbeing.
The Cost of Not Addressing Trauma in the Workplace
The financial and human costs of ignoring mental health and trauma in the workplace are significant:
Productivity losses due to mental illness cost the Canadian economy $20.7 billion annually, affecting half a million workers.
Nearly 47% of workers under 30 report that their job has negatively affected their mental health.
Individuals with PTSD miss an average of 3.6 days of work per month, equating to
What Does Trauma-Informed Practice Mean?
Trauma-informed practice is a strengths-based framework grounded in understanding and responding to the impact of trauma. It emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for everyone involved and creates opportunities to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment. By adopting trauma-informed practices, organizations can provide their employees with a safer, more compassionate environment.
Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a strengths-based approach to caring for individuals. It involves mindfulness, compassion, and clarity regarding boundaries and expectations. This approach builds trust and safety in the workplace, fostering an environment where employees can thrive personally and professionally.
Trauma-Informed Wellness in the workplace
As trauma-informed consultants, our service supports the creation of work environments that advance wellness for all employees. Our comprehensive suite of trauma-informed services is evidence-based, drawing on best practices to foster trauma-informed workplaces that enhance employee wellness and along with it worker engagement. We offer comprehensive trauma-informed workplace audits to assess and identify areas for improvement in your organization.
To build on the audit's findings, we provide educational workshops designed to raise awareness and equip employees and leaders with the practical tools needed to foster a trauma-informed environment. Trauma-informed coaching services offer 1:1 personalized guidance for leaders and employees, ensuring that trauma-informed principles and practices are effectively integrated.
For workforces seeking deeper support, our trauma recovery retreats offer immersive experiences that allow individuals to focus on healing in a supportive and restorative setting. To maintain the benefits experienced during retreats, we also provide weekly follow-up maintenance and restoration sessions, ensuring ongoing support and continued integration and wellness.
Conclusion
Understanding the prevalence of trauma and how workplaces, by their nature, intersect with trauma is essential for fostering a productive workforce. Organizations can build a culture of compassionate communication, transparency, trust, and empathetic leadership by integrating trauma-aware and trauma-informed practices — including workplace audits, educational workshops, coaching, retreats, and ongoing maintenance sessions. This approach supports the wellbeing of employees and enhances overall organizational success.
Contact us to learn how we can help your organization develop trauma-informed workplace practices and create a healthier, more supportive environment for all.
Bio
Chavisa Horemans, MES, CDC, CTRC
Workers experiencing trauma are a part of our workforce, and, as such, trauma impacts workplaces.
As a Trauma-Informed Consultant, I support professionals in enhancing their communication and leadership skills. I work with individuals and organizations to create empathetic, compassionate, and effective workplaces through a trauma-informed lens.
With a master's degree in social sciences and a graduate diploma in adult education, I bring a deep understanding of the complexities involved in emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually draining situations. My services are evidence-based.
My expertise extends to Divorce Coaching and Trauma Recovery certifications, allowing me to deliver tailored, holistic, and comprehensive solutions to my clients. I draw from seven years of experience working with people going through traumatic, high-conflict divorces and helping individuals overcome gender-based violence and hidden abuse, providing a safe and empowering space to heal and recover from trauma. As a holistic practitioner, I am also training in Reiki energy work.
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Land Acknowledgement
GRATITUDE
The Mother Corp. is gratefully situated on the unceded ancestral lands and territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/ Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. Respecting the ancestors, supernatural ones, hereditary leaders and matriarchs, creatures big and small for looking after the rich resources and cultural teachings of this spectacular land. Tsawalk - We are interconnected.
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