How to support an employee after a bereavement

As reported in acas, after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it is important to be prepared to support an employee after the death of a loved one.

As an employer, you should take into account that everyone experiences grief differently, and each employee’s needs will be different.

Some employees might need support soon after the death and also after they return to work, for example on the anniversary of the death or if there’s an inquest into the death. You should tailor your support to each individual person’s needs.

Supporting an employee after a death can help:

• them feel valued
• reduce their stress or anxiety
• avoid or reduce sick leave
• keep a good working relationship
• keep the workplace productive

It’s important to communicate with your employee to ask what support they need from you, and also to let them know what support you can offer.

For example, some employees will have a network of family and friends supporting them through the death. You should bear this in mind when considering the support you give them.

For more tips on supporting employees through bereavement, please see the article on acas.