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Handle the Death of an Employee
Key Points
The death of an employee can cause emotional strain on co-workers and the workplace as a whole. Consider preparing an emergency plan that details the steps to follow in the case of an employee's death, whether at work or off-site.
Be prepared to respond appropriately, professionally and with empathy. The employee designated to communicate with the employee's family and co-workers should be prepared with a list of basic points to cover and procedures to follow.
If the death occurred at work, file a report with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and state agency, as applicable.
Determine what insurance payments and final wages are due to the family of the deceased employee and issue the payments as quickly as possible.
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