ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores some of the key legal and policy requirements that apply to loss, grief and trauma as they apply to work settings. The German philosopher, Martin Heidegger, writing early in the last century, described human existence as being-towards-death. The need to take seriously the “people factor” in organizational life has received increasing attention recently. In fact, the idea that an organization’s most important resource is its human resource has become very well established as a management principle. Psychological trauma can apply to any individual at any time, no one is immune. In these days of heightened awareness of potential acts of terrorism, and be ready to deal with, trauma in the workplace is particularly acute. The book covers some important issues that have a history of being neglected despite the potentially disastrous consequences of failing to be prepared for them.
