Half of workers who lose a loved one are dealing with banks, pensions, probate and other administrative tasks during working hours, with many struggling to balance those responsibilities alongside their jobs.
New research suggests the practical burden that follows a death is having a significant impact on workplace performance, with four in five bereaved employees saying it affected their ability to work.
The survey, commissioned by bereavement support provider Octopus Legacy, found that more than half of bereaved workers responsible for handling a loved one’s affairs carried out at least some of that work during their normal working day.
Practical burden extends beyond bereavement leave
While employers have increasingly focused on emotional wellbeing and compassionate leave policies, the research suggests many workers continue to face significant practical demands long after returning to work.
The study found that 80 percent of those managing the affairs of someone who had died said the process damaged their ability to work. More than a quarter missed work days, while 32 percent reported difficulty concentrating.
Many also required additional time away from work beyond any bereavement leave entitlement. The research found that 41 percent took extra leave or reduced their hours, including using annual leave, taking sick leave, going unpaid or cutting their working time.
The burden can be substantial. More than a quarter of bereaved workers responsible for administering an estate had to contact seven or more organisations, including banks, local councils, pension providers, utility companies, HM Revenue & Customs, insurers and the Probate Registry.
Sam Grice, founder and chief executive of Octopus Legacy, said many people underestimate the practical workload that follows a death.
“Until Mum died, I had no idea how much ‘death admin’ comes with loss. It was utterly overwhelming. For a lot of people, working hours are the only time they can move any of it forward, so they end up juggling a full-time job while also chasing death certificates, calling banks and working out what happens next.”
Support gap leaves employees struggling
The research also suggests many employers are offering limited practical support to bereaved workers.
More than two in five respondents said their employer could have done more to help them after a death, while 26 percent said they received no support at all. Where support was provided, it typically consisted of bereavement leave or flexible working arrangements.
Only 8 percent said they received practical help with the calls, paperwork and decisions involved in settling a loved one’s affairs.
The findings also indicate that many workers prefer human support over digital tools during bereavement. Nearly two-thirds said they would rather speak to a person for practical assistance, compared with just 3.2 percent who would choose an app. A similar pattern emerged for emotional support, with 63 percent preferring to speak to a person and only 1.6 percent opting for an app.
Grice said the impact extended beyond individual wellbeing and was becoming a workforce issue for employers.
“For employers, this is a real workforce issue, as well as a human one. People are missing days, losing focus, reducing hours and, in some cases, leaving work altogether.”
Impact reaches beyond the workplace
The research suggests bereavement can have long-term consequences for employment.
Nearly one in ten respondents considered leaving their job altogether while managing the practical responsibilities following a death. Overall, 5 percent left work and 9 percent retired earlier than planned.
More than half of UK adults said they had experienced the death of a close friend or family member during the previous five years. Among those, a quarter became responsible for managing the estate, with almost two thirds of those people working or self-employed while doing so.
The survey was conducted by YouGov between 18 and 20 May.
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
