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INTRODUCTION
When you assign journalists and crews to cover conflict and tragedy, remember that this will put particular strains also on partners and on families.
Social networks and relationships at home are a key element in the wider support that will help keep your teams emotionally well — and functioning to their best ability.
It's important that employers have clearly formulated policies on support for partners and families, and that these are championed at a senior level.
The Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma has consulted widely among managers, editors — and couples — to compile the following simple guidelines on how partners and families might best be supported.
We hope they will help you anticipate, recognise and help deal with the anxieties that employees and their partners may face when one of them is away on a potentially dangerous or traumatic assignment.
BEFORE AN ASSIGNMENT
• Make sure those travelling and their partners have given properly informed consent, and are aware of what's involved — in terms of risk, safety precautions, and the personal challenges.
• Check that you have up-to-date phone numbers and addresses of partners or anyone else (e.g. parents, close friend) who might need contacting while the partner is away. This applies to freelancers as much as to staff members.
• If possible, agree — and stick to — how long the assignment will be.
• Make the workplace a more familiar place to partners and families. Invite them in to meet colleagues before any assignment, to put faces to names and see how things work.
• Have clear and openly-stated policies about what will happen if things go wrong. E.g. what insurance arrangements are in place.
• Make arrangements for editors/desks to keep in regular touch with partners at home. Agree a 24/7 number that they can call for support or information.
• Sometimes there may be reasons why someone feels they have to turn down a dangerous assignment. Try to find out why that might be, and respect that.
DURING AN ASSIGNMENT
• Allow — and encourage — your teams to keep in regular phone contact with those at home. It's not a perk of the job, but an essential investment in their emotional wellbeing.
• Make sure that partners and spouses are kept personally informed by a trusted work colleague about their loved-one's assignment.
• Reassure them and give any information you can. A quick friendly call to ask how things are at home can make all the difference.
• If you can, help the spouses and partners left at home to get in touch with each other. They may be having very similar experiences, but feel alone with that.
• If there's been an incident in the news involving casualties, contact partners swiftly to reassure. However, if there is bad news to convey, GREAT care should be taken. The Dart Centre has guidelines on best practice in this area.
AFTER AN ASSIGNMENT
• Remember that re-entry to home life can be more stressful — and dangerous — for relationships than parting and being away. It's important that you help your teams and colleagues to manage that transition well.
• Unwinding after a major trip is important. For the one who's returning, experts advise that it can help to spend a little time on the way home “decompressing” with professional colleagues. But it's important that the partner at home is consulted and is OK with that.
• After a stressful trip, colleagues with families will need to reconnect at home. Allow them time to do that. You may want to let them know you understand how challenging these transitions can be.
• If people need more detailed support or advice, there are trained counsellors who can help. Offer to put them in touch.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma is grateful to the Rory Peck Trust ( www.rorypecktrust.org ) and to One Plus One ( www.oneplusone.org.uk ) for their support in compiling these guidelines.
The following UK-based Employee Assistance organisations can put you in touch with experts and trained counsellors
BUPA +44 (0) 800 269616
Focus: +44 (0) 800 058 72991
CiC: +44 (0) 20 7938 0970
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