Resources for managers

Preparing staff for end of assignment

Just as adjusting to life in the field can create stress for humanitarian workers, so too can the transition to life back "at home." Returning staff can confront symptoms ranging from reverse culture shock to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is vital that organizations provide continued support to their staff during re-entry, and field managers are well-positioned to guide such efforts.

Unplanned terminations

Managers are sometimes confronted with the difficult decision to cut off the engagement of a worker or group of workers due to unforeseen circumstances such as security threats or natural disasters. Managers should plan in advance for the possibility of emergency evacuations and be prepared to provide staff with other support measures in the event of an abrupt termination of their assignments or the cessation of the mission itself.

Exit interviews/Support techniques

Humanitarian missions expose workers to highly rewarding experiences as well as deeply traumatic ones, and staff often have difficulty coping with the emotional extremes. This section outlines techniques such as psychological debriefing and exit interviewing that managers and mental health professionals can use to support staff dealing with the aftermath of exposure to trauma.