Kindness Prevails at Work During Hardship

Compassionate manager puts project on hold to support employee dealing with family emergencies

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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When Beth Brown, director of health and well-being at a company that provides employee mental health programs, faced personal hardships with her infant daughter falling ill with COVID-19 and the passing of her mother, her senior manager at ComPsych put the major project they were working on hold and offered words of support instead of pressing her to complete her tasks.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of empathy and compassion in the workplace, especially during difficult times. By prioritizing the employee's wellbeing over the project, the manager demonstrated the value of kindness and understanding, which can boost morale, productivity, and employee retention.

The details

Beth Brown was assigned to a major project at work when her 6-month-old daughter fell ill with COVID-19 and her mother passed away shortly after. Brown felt guilty about leaving her work partner, the senior ComPsych director, in a lurch, but instead of pressing her to complete the tasks, the director reached out to ask if she was okay and told her not to worry about the project, saying "It'll be here when you get back. I'll be there when you're back." This gesture of kindness and understanding lifted a weight off Brown's shoulders during an incredibly difficult time.

  • Beth Brown's 6-month-old daughter fell ill with COVID-19.
  • A few days later, Beth Brown's mother passed away.

The players

Beth Brown

The director of health and well-being at a company that provides employee mental health programs and absence management services.

ComPsych director

Beth Brown's work partner on a major project, who offered words of support and understanding when Beth needed to take time off to care for her family.

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What they’re saying

“In the grand scheme of things, this is not important. It'll be here when you get back. I'll be there when you're back.”

— ComPsych director

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the power of kindness and empathy in the workplace, and how a compassionate manager's actions can make a significant difference for an employee facing personal hardships. It serves as a reminder that prioritizing employee wellbeing can lead to stronger teams, higher morale, and greater productivity in the long run.