How can HR support grieving employees?
A quarter (25%) of UK adults struggle to make decisions when grieving, according to research findings published by employee benefits provider MetLife UK.
A fifth (21%) of respondents to MetLife’s survey reported that making decisions while grieving added stress to an already difficult time, and 14% reported that funeral planning had impacted the way they do their job.
The MetLife team commissioned polling provider Censuswide to survey 2,003 UK consumers who had experienced a recent bereavement, between 29 November and 3 December 2024. The most recent findings from this data were published on 24 April.
Offering flexible ways of working and bereavement counselling can support grieving employees, commented Julia Lyons, Senior Clinical Lead at mental health services provider Onebright.
She told HR magazine: “It may be helpful for the individual to have more time off work than the contracted compassionate leave. Be flexible about this, to help the individual, if that is what they require. Talk to the individual about making adaptations to their daily tasks and workplace setup, to help the individual continue working. You could offer 100% remote working, flexible working hours, or fewer external meetings.
“Bereavement counselling can be helpful in the initial six months. If an individual is struggling with engaging with their life, discuss a referral to psychological therapy. This can be provided through an employee assistance programme, or directly through a workplace mental healthcare provider who can provide assessments and therapy services as and when individuals need it.”
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