What to say NGPR

Flamingo86

A coworker is planning on coming back to work tomorrow after losing a close family member fairly suddenly.

I have no idea what to say to her.

I gripe and complain in my head about the things people said (or didn't say) after I went back to work after my loss, and now that I am on the other side of the grief picture I don't want to be ignorant or trite. I also don't want to ignore the elephant in the room and say nothing.

Any thoughts?

RockABye

I'd probably say something like "hey! I'm glad to see you! You've been in my thoughts/prayers and I hpoe things are going ok. Let me know if I can help with anything." I don't know if that's right or wrong, but that's probably what I'd say and what I'd like to hear people say to me if I'd lost someone close. I would want it acknowledged to some degree, but not  probably wouldn't want to go into details or anything. Or if you're awkward with the conversation, maybe just a card on her desk that says the same thing?

blueeyedblossom

I agree with @RockABye!

cloudymeatballs

I would have to say the same thing that @rockabye said. 

nfp147

I would tell her I'm sorry for her loss and ask if she needs any help (with missed work, etc)

Xan921

Can you email her?  I'd send her an email basically saying the same thing as RockaBye said.  I feel like she might not want people coming up to her throughout the day talking to her about it but an email lets her know that you care and are there for her if she wants to reach out.

BruinsBabe33

I agree with can and RAB at the same time.

poppies717

I agree with RAB, too. I wouldn't rush right up to her at work, but when you see her, I think that's the perfect thing to say. If you don't see her often, I'd stop by her desk and ask how her first day back went and then add the RAB quote.