I work fully remote and got a new manager a few months back. we're on good terms and courteous, although we communicate exclusively through slack and zoom and never saw each other irl. last week we were chatting and she told me one of her parents is in a hospital and things really really don't look good. today she set her status to OOO till end of the week so I wanna prepare for the worst

I wonder if theres any way to console someone in this situation other than saying that im sorry and I can take on some work stuff if necessary. im not looking to overstep but I wanna know if theres something to do for my coworker so they dont get additionally stressed. or maybe I shouldn't do anything and let her get distracted by work, I dont really know how grieving works. I also dont wanna reach out to HR bc theyre gonna give me corporate bullshit and it's just weird

this never happened to me and although lots of yall are crazies we have some people with real jobs here as well. so I wonder if any of you had this situation and how you went about it

Nothing to do but be courteous and professional tbh, extend your condolences and offer some support.

I feel like you’re overthinking it man

“I’m sorry to hear what happened if there’s anything I can do to help please don’t hesitate to reach out”

Then keep it moving

Nice gesture is making a meal or baking something for them. Grief can make it hard for people to find the energy for things like cooking. Or an Uber Eats / DoorDash gift card

Maybe you can even organize some coworkers to put together a basket with fruit, baked goods / candy, prepped meals in Tupperware (buy a new set that they don’t need to worry about returning) a cozy blanket, flowers, and a card.

I wonder if theres any way to console someone in this situation other than saying that im sorry and I can take on some work stuff if necessary

Nah just do exactly this, srsly

“I ain’t trying to shoot at her. I’m saying, listen. She can do two, three years. I’ll try to be like if you need a friend to holla or a shoulder to lean on. You can call my line.”

go on tenor and send them a cute gif

Reaching out to HR for advice on consoling a grieving person is truly one of the most artistic things I have ever heard of

Great idea