At any given time, one in ten employees is navigating bereavement. The effects extend well beyond the immediate loss, impacting sleep, concentration, workplace relationships, and even day-to-day tasks.
While most companies offer short-term bereavement leave, grief doesn't adhere to a set schedule—its impact can linger for months or even years.
Currently, bereavement policies are not compulsory and usually offer only a few days of paid leave for immediate family losses. The upcoming Employment Rights Bill 2024 will expand this, introducing a minimum one-week 'Day One' bereavement leave right, expected in Autumn 2026.
Yet, policy changes alone are not enough.
Effective bereavement support at work requires more than statutory leave—it demands a comprehensive, compassionate approach that addresses the diverse needs of grieving employees through accessible benefits and ongoing resources.
Grief requires compassionate, flexible, and ongoing support that extends far beyond the initial leave period.
Your company's benefits portal likely already offers valuable resources for grieving employees—some obvious, others less so. However, because grief affects each person differently, the type of support they need—and when they need it—will vary.
By rethinking your benefits platform as a hub for bereavement support at work, you can provide employees with meaningful assistance during one of life's most difficult moments. Here are some key steps to help you get started:
Only 32% of employees are aware that their employer has a bereavement policy. Create a dedicated section for bereavement support that includes:
Losing a dependant often brings a complex set of financial and legal responsibilities, adding extra stress during an already challenging time. Providing practical resources can help ease this burden:
Grief is a normal emotional response to the loss of a loved one but for some employees it may affect their mental health more considerably. Embed mental health resources directly within your portal to make it easier for workers to access the support they need, when they need it.
When an employee is grieving, having the flexibility to adapt their work schedule and easily access support can make a difficult time slightly more manageable, helping them navigate their return to work at their own pace. Consider implementing features that enable employees to:
To enhance the effectiveness of your benefits portal as a grief support resource:
Bereavement support at work encompasses comprehensive resources and policies that help employees navigate grief following the loss of a loved one. Unlike traditional bereavement leave which typically provides only a few days off, effective bereavement support includes ongoing mental health resources, flexible work arrangements, financial guidance, and wellbeing benefits that recognize grief as a long-term journey rather than a short-term event.
At any given time, one in ten employees is navigating bereavement, yet only 32% of employees are aware that their employer has a bereavement policy. The effects of grief extend well beyond the immediate loss, impacting sleep, concentration, workplace relationships, and productivity for months or even years. Comprehensive bereavement support demonstrates compassion, improves employee wellbeing, enhances retention, and creates a more supportive workplace culture.
Currently, bereavement policies are not compulsory in the UK and usually offer only a few days of paid leave for immediate family losses. However, the upcoming Employment Rights Bill 2024 will introduce a minimum one-week 'Day One' bereavement leave right, expected in Autumn 2026. Forward-thinking employers are already going beyond these minimum requirements to provide comprehensive support systems.
Grief doesn't adhere to a set schedule—its impact can linger for months or even years. While statutory leave may only cover the immediate aftermath, effective bereavement support should remain accessible throughout the employee's grief journey. This includes ongoing access to counselling services, flexible work arrangements, and wellbeing resources that employees can utilize as their needs evolve over time.
As workplace benefits continue to evolve, businesses have an opportunity to redefine how they support employees through personal loss. By transforming benefits portals into comprehensive bereavement support at work systems, organisations can foster a more compassionate workplace that truly meets employees' needs during difficult times.