National Grief Awareness Week: bereavement in the workplace

As National Grief Awareness Week begins, new research by MetLife UK takes a look at how bereavement is addressed in both personal and professional contexts.

The research finds that nearly a quarter (23%) of bereaved adults in the UK grieve alone without seeking comfort from others. Among those who do seek support, 39 percent turn to their partner or spouse, 23 percent to a friend or neighbour, 17 percent to their parents, and 13 percent to their children. However, only 3 percent of respondents sought comfort from their employer or manager.

Bereavement and Workplace Support

While many employees feel unsupported in times of loss, some positive practices exist. One-third (32%) of adults reported being granted paid time off following a bereavement. A smaller proportion, 19 percent, noted that their employer allowed them up to two weeks of leave to grieve.

Despite these measures, a lack of awareness remains an issue. While 54 percent of employees say they are aware of the bereavement support provided by their employer, 31 percent admit they are unaware of the level of support available to them.

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Employers can play a key role to play in creating a supportive environment for grieving employees. Clear communication about bereavement policies and offering accessible resources can make a huge difference.

Adrian Matthews, Head of Employee Benefits at MetLife UK, said, “Grief is a very personal experience. It can bring on a rollercoaster of emotions all while having to navigate practical decisions. The death of a loved one can be an incredibly challenging time and having nobody to turn to can make a devastating situation even more difficult.

“Grief Awareness Week highlights just how important it is to support our family, friends, colleagues when experiencing loss. This is an important initiative that aims to encourage open conversations about grief and loss, something that many people need support with, both in and out of the workplace.

“With simple and frequent communication of the resources available, employers can ensure their employees are fully supported in times of grief, have an outlet to turn to, and most importantly, let them know they’re not alone.”