When a colleague returns to work after suffering the loss of a loved one, it’s hard to draw the line between what’s helpful and supportive, and what puts your coworker in an uncomfortable position. Saying the wrong thing can be painful, but simply ignoring the issue isn’t the solution. In order to support a grieving colleague, you need to strike the right balance between doing, offering specific tasks that you can help with, and being, showing empathy. In order to position your support correctly, keep in mind these six don’ts when reaching out to a grieving coworker: don’t ask questions; don’t compare experiences; don’t rush your support; don’t track their progress; don’t expect it to be one and done; and most importantly, don’t ignore them.