Grief at Work

Grief is something everyone will experience at some point, yet we rarely talk about it, especially in the workplace. From employees to leadership, it’s important to have the right processes and understanding in place to support both yourself and your team when loss occurs.

It’s been five weeks since I lost my grandfather, and nothing truly prepares you for the sudden loss of a loved one or, in some cases, a colleague. Time seems to stand still, yet the world keeps moving at full speed. You need to give yourself time to process; otherwise, those emotions can resurface later. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think grief ever fully goes away. You just learn to live with it. Everyone grieves differently: some people throw themselves into work to stay busy, while others, like me, need to slow down and sit with their feelings. I felt overwhelmed and found it difficult to concentrate even on small tasks, and that’s okay. It’s important to give yourself a bit of grace during this time.

In today’s fast-paced world, we’re constantly chasing targets and deadlines, but it’s equally important to ask: do we have the right support systems in place to help employees through these difficult times? Over the years, whilst recruiting, I’ve spoken with candidates and long-standing employees who were called back after just a day or two away. Are we truly looking after our people when we treat grief as an inconvenience rather than a human experience?

As an employer, it’s worth asking yourself: do you have a bereavement policy, and is it up to date? Does it serve the best interests of both the employee and the business? Supporting an employee through grief isn’t just about time away; it’s also about the return. Consider:

• Offering flexible working arrangements to reintegrate the individual into the workplace gradually.
• Providing mental health support, such as access to counselling or partnerships with mental health professionals.
• Equipping managers with training to handle grief-related situations with empathy.
• Offering long-term support beyond the initial leave, including check-ins and additional PTO for anniversaries or difficult dates.

If you are a business owner going through grief yourself, communicate openly with your team. Clear communication allows them to provide support while ensuring the business continues to run effectively.

Grief will come, but with the right culture, no one has to face it alone.

Let’s keep the conversation open about how we support each other through loss and life’s hardest moments.

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