If a member of your faculty or staff is hospitalized, it may be appropriate for you, as Division Head, to visit the person. Your visit can offer support at a time when the employee feels most vulnerable, while showing him/her that you sincerely care. To ensure that your visit is welcome, follow these simple rules for visiting-hour etiquette.
- Contact a family member to prearrange a private visit.
- If it’s a teacher, you might want to share how his/her students are doing or relay any messages the students have sent.
- Verify the type of gifts the patient can receive before going. Many patients can’t receive fresh flowers or food gifts. Instead, cards signed by (or even made by) students and other faculty and staff are always a safe way to wish the patient a speedy recovery.
- Limit the visit to 10–15 minutes. A longer visit may exhaust or overwhelm the patient.
Your consideration and genuine compassion can go far to boost the morale of not only a faculty or staff member during a difficult time, but your other personnel who share similar concerns for the individual.
Additional ISM articles of interest
ISM Monthly Update for Division Heads Vol. 10 No. 5 You and the Flu: What To Know and Do
ISM Monthly Update for Business Managers No. 11 Vol. 8 Just a Few More Wellness Program Ideas
