Close bereavement support gap, research tells employers
Employers need to provide better support for employees suffering bereavement, according to a new report.
MetLife research involving 2,000 people in the UK reveals that of those who experienced a bereavement in the past two years, 18% say more support planning a funeral would have made it easier to cope with their loss. A further 17% said they would have appreciated free support 24/7 to help with questions on everything from finding a funeral director to registering a death.
By looking at what employees want, and what their workplaces offer, MetLife’s report, The Last Word, identifies opportunities for employers to better support colleagues.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is highly personal. Offering the support employees need and value can help to ease the stress and pain during a difficult time.
More paid time off wanted
There is a clear need for more practical support.
Another factor that was flagged by the research was the need for time off. Nearly one-third of employees – 32% – say they would value paid time off, with 17% saying they would like as much time off as needed and 19% saying up to two weeks would have helped them grieve properly.
Money is also a significant cause of concern. Highlighting the financial stresses the loss of a loved one can create, 14% of people who were recently bereaved say they would have liked to know how the funeral was going to be paid for.
Having a policy to pay for it, either personally or through their employer, could have alleviated this worry.
And employees do expect their employer to step in. Of those recently bereaved, 7% would like their employer to do more and a further 7% would appreciate this support from their loved one’s employer.
In addition, 17% say they would value a regular check-in from their employer if they were on compassionate leave.
Support is patchy
Employees value, and expect, both practical and emotional support from employers after a bereavement. Unfortunately, while some employers are delivering this support, MetLife research found there were significant gaps in provision.
Among those who recently experienced a bereavement, 16% say their employer didn’t offer them any support at all.
There are also signs that, even where support is available, employees aren’t necessarily benefiting from it.
Eight percent of respondents didn’t tell their employer about their loss, suggesting that workplace culture and taboos around death are still making this conversation impossible.
And although 54% of respondents are aware their employer provides bereavement support, only 17% are fully aware of what’s available.
While 15% are certain their employer doesn’t provide any support, a further 31% are unaware of any bereavement support. This could leave them having to find out what’s available at the same time as experiencing a loss, or worse, missing out altogether.
Employers need to do more
Whether or not an organisation already has bereavement benefits in place, there is clearly more employers can do to support employees during this difficult time.
For some, introducing the benefits and support that employees value is an important first step.
Alongside paid time off, offering a funeral concierge and planning service can help employees access the guidance and support they need. MetLife, for example, includes this within its group life product, giving employees and their loved ones access to holistic emotional and practical support.
Employee assistance programmes can also support employees going through a bereavement. As well as practical guidance, these can provide counselling – which 10% of respondents say they would have valued when they experienced a loss.
Raising awareness
Wherever an organisation is on providing bereavement support, improved awareness and communication is vital. Ensuring employees know what support is available will make it easier if they do experience a bereavement but it will also help to break down taboos around death.
Training line managers about what’s available can help and it can also be beneficial to pull together bereavement-related benefits so that employees can easily identify and access everything that might help.
Linking to an event such as National Grief Awareness Week is another good way to promote the bereavement benefits you offer.
Download The Last Word to understand the importance of opening up the conversation around death, what it means in the workplace, and how employers can better support the bereaved.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, MetLife
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