Guidance for managers

How you can support your staff to work safely with distressing collections

Read the box list or interim cataloguing description before assigning a collection for cataloguing. Forewarn staff about the contents. Keep an open dialogue (check in with staff). Plan with your staff, not for them. Source and undertake training. Discourage staff from doing any work on the collection from home. Encourage group work where possible. Familiarise yourself with the side effects. Empower your staff to work on difficult collections without a deadline. If a deadline is needed, organise the work safely and build in flexibility. Never allow your staff to work on distressing material 24/7.

Allow time and space for your staff to tell you about any distressing material they've been working on. This can be done individually or in a group.

Make sure there is a 'tangible payoff at the end.'