In honor of National Grief Awareness Week, MetLife UK has released a new study that examines how bereavement in personal and professional settings is handled.
According to the research, nearly a quarter of adults who have lost a loved one in the UK do so alone. They don’t seek comfort from anyone else. Among those who seek support, 39 % turn to their spouse or partner, 23 % to a neighbour or friend, 17 % to their parents and 13 %) to their children. Only 3 percent of respondents said they sought comfort from a manager or employer.
Bereavement Support and Workplace Support
Despite the fact that many employees do not feel supported in times of grief, there are some positive practices. One third (32%) adults said they were granted paid time off after a loss. A smaller percentage, 19%, reported that their employer gave them up to 2 weeks to grieve.
A lack of awareness persists despite these efforts. Although 54 percent of employees claim to be aware of the support offered by their employer in the event of a loss, 31 percent are not.
Employers have a crucial role to play when it comes to creating an environment that is supportive for employees who are grieving. It can be a big difference if you communicate clearly about your policies on bereavement and provide resources.
Adrian Matthews said that “grief is an experience very personal.” The experience can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, while also having to make practical decisions. It can be a difficult time when a loved is lost. Having no one to turn to makes it even worse.
Grief Awareness Week emphasizes the importance of supporting our friends, family and colleagues who are experiencing grief. This initiative is important because it encourages open discussions about grief and loss. Many people need help with this, in the workplace and outside.
Employers can help their employees by communicating the available resources. They will be able to ensure that they are supported and have a place to turn in difficult times.
