Advisor Information
Dr. Abby Bjornsen-Ramig
Location
MBSC 201
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
6-3-2020 2:00 PM
End Date
6-3-2020 3:15 PM
Abstract
Nearly one million people in the United States each year are widowed.5 The majority of these individuals continue to maintain employment.5 It is critical to examine the impact of widowhood on career maintenance and development. Widowers experience challenges related to identity confusion4, depression1, role changes10, and financial stress4, all of which can adversely impact functioning at work. These challenges exist for widowers who continue in their current employment after the death of their spouse, as well as for those who may enter the world of work out of necessity upon becoming widowed. When entering the workforce, widowers may be required to quickly acquire skills in technology2, and may experience unfair wages due to income gender disparities, as well as lower payment for the entry-level positions that may be available12. Widowers continuing with their existing employment may have more work absences, and may need to request additional leave time, particularly when children are involved11. Widowers may benefit from pragmatic career counseling interventions, including expanding social support networks at work7,8, identity restoration as an employee4, and potentially career assessment if changes in employment are desired3. Additional career-related counseling interventions may include exploring the intersection of ongoing grief with responsibilities as an employee, as well as the acquisition of practical coping skills6 and communication strategies to be implemented at work during difficult or triggering times.
Widowhoods Effect on Careers
MBSC 201
Nearly one million people in the United States each year are widowed.5 The majority of these individuals continue to maintain employment.5 It is critical to examine the impact of widowhood on career maintenance and development. Widowers experience challenges related to identity confusion4, depression1, role changes10, and financial stress4, all of which can adversely impact functioning at work. These challenges exist for widowers who continue in their current employment after the death of their spouse, as well as for those who may enter the world of work out of necessity upon becoming widowed. When entering the workforce, widowers may be required to quickly acquire skills in technology2, and may experience unfair wages due to income gender disparities, as well as lower payment for the entry-level positions that may be available12. Widowers continuing with their existing employment may have more work absences, and may need to request additional leave time, particularly when children are involved11. Widowers may benefit from pragmatic career counseling interventions, including expanding social support networks at work7,8, identity restoration as an employee4, and potentially career assessment if changes in employment are desired3. Additional career-related counseling interventions may include exploring the intersection of ongoing grief with responsibilities as an employee, as well as the acquisition of practical coping skills6 and communication strategies to be implemented at work during difficult or triggering times.