I’m struggling to navigate both my work and grief after losing my beloved mum – do you have any advice?

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who doesn’t know how to move forward after returning from compassionate leave. Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) My beloved mum died two months ago and I was able to take two weeks’ compassionate leave, plus a further couple of days for the funeral. However, I’m still struggling to navigate both my work and grief. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! My colleagues have been very supportive up until this point, but I’m not performing at my best and it’s meant other people have had to shoulder more work, so I know the situation can’t continue indefinitely. I am finding it hard to care as much about my work and feel myself getting tearful at random times. I don’t really want to take any more time off, as I don’t want to let my co-workers down, but I don’t know how to move forward. Do you have any advice? Natalie A) I am so sorry about your mum, Natalie. One of the hardest things about grief is it doesn’t follow a timetable. Most read in Fabulous Two months may sound like a long time to some, but for many, it’s only around this point that the reality of such a significant loss truly starts to sink in. You also clearly care about your job and colleagues and don’t want to let anyone down, but it’s important to remember you’re navigating one of life’s most difficult experiences. I would encourage you to have an honest conversation with your manager about how you’re feeling. You’re not asking for special treatment, you’re helping them understand why things may be more challenging than usual, and there may be adjustments they can make to your role. Most importantly, stop measuring yourself against the person you were before your loss. Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family or professionals if you need it. Grief often comes in waves, and you don’t have to face those difficult times alone, whether at work or at home. Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk. Comment now