National Grief Awareness Week presents: Grief at Work

Today marks the start of National Grief Awareness Week, an annual campaign dedicated to breaking down stigma around grief and bereavement and encouraging open conversations about loss. 

Grief has many faces. On the surface, someone might look fine, smiling, working, chatting, but grief often hides behind every day routines. A colleague replying to emails or making small talk might be quietly carrying the weight of loss, or even the anticipation of it. 

What does grief really look like? 

Grief is complex and deeply personal. It can affect every part of us: 

Emotional: Sadness, anger, fear, anxiety, shock, numbness, loneliness, helplessness, guilt, and sometimes even relief. For those living with anticipatory grief, relief after a loved one’s suffering ends is common, yet often accompanied by guilt.  

Cognitive: Brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Everyday tasks can feel exhausting for months after a loss. 

Behavioural: Withdrawal from social interaction, irritability, hypersensitivity, family dynamics and feuds can arise making it feel like we are walking on eggshells. 

Physical: Sleep disturbances, weight changes, headaches, IBS, aches and pains, or feeling so run down that illness follows. 

Spiritual: Grief can challenge faith or deepen it. It may lead to questioning life’s meaning or leaning more into spiritual practices. 

No two experiences of grief are the same. Symptoms can come and go. What matters most is recognising these signs, whether in yourself or someone you care about, and responding with compassion. 

 
Top tips for creating grief positive workplaces 

We are big believers that creating a truly compassionate workplace culture needs to be more than just having great people policies in place. Its about knowing how to show up in those moments, acting with kindness, empathy and flexibility. 

Its about truly knowing your employees well enough to show up for them in moments of pain. 

So here are our top tip to get you started:  

1. Have a compassionate leave or bereavement policy 

It might sound a bit crazy, but only 1 in 3 employers across the UK have a dedicated bereavement policy. The policy is there to be the foundations for support, the absolute bare minimum guidance and it needs to include:   

• Who is allowed to take leave, and for whom – e.g. this policy applies for bereavement leave following the death of a spouse, sibling, parent, extended family member, friend etc.  
  
• How many days leave does this policy support? Will this leave be paid or unpaid? 
  
• Are there any additional policies that can support the employee during the leave period, or on returning to work e.g. Parental loss policy, miscarriage policy, carers leave policy, hybrid and flexible working policy  
  
• Signposting for additional resource or guidance to support bereaved employee or supporting manager navigate this difficult life event.  
   

2. Train your managers  

Managers have such a huge responsibility for how an employee feels in the immediate support following a bereavement, and in the weeks and months following as they navigate this new normal. 

Training and supporting your managers to lead with compassion in these moments is crucial. What to say, how to actively listen, how to show up and advocate for the employee.  

With an estimated three million bereaved in the UK every year, we owe it to our managers to properly equip and support them on how to show up for employees navigating these life changing moments.  

3. Offer flexibility  

Flexibility is key to creating a workplace where everyone feels able to return after a loss. Some people may need a little more time, others might prefer working from home for a while or require short-term adjustments to their role. 

Getting to know your employees and listening to their needs helps you show up authentically for each person. Creating space for grief at work is crucial, and responding with flexibility and compassion gives you the best chance to support them as they rebuild confidence and grow. 

Grief doesn’t follow a timetable, but with understanding and adaptability, we can make the journey back to work a little easier. 

5. Visibility is key 

Creating a culture of visibility, psychological safety and compassion goes a long way towards breaking the stigma surrounding grief. 

As a society, we still have a way to go, but workplaces play a crucial role in fostering space for these conversations. Whether it’s through training, awareness days, resource sharing, or staff networks, every effort matters. 

We can all do a little more to open the conversation around grief. When we lead with empathy and create environments where people feel safe to share, we make work a place of support and understanding. 

A simple challenge for leaders 

This National Grief Awareness Week, take a moment to think about the people in your team who’ve faced challenges this year, whether through loss or the anticipation of loss following a diagnosis. 

✔ Check in – Don’t be afraid to reach out as we head into the festive season. Ask how they’re navigating this time and if there’s anything you can do to help. 

✔ Know your policies – Take a look at your organisation’s bereavement leave guidelines. Most of us don’t know what’s there until we need it. Being proactive and understanding the policy can make a big difference when it matters most. 

✔ Share resources – If you come across something helpful or meaningful, share it with your team. A little visibility can go a long way. 

✔ Lead with vulnerability – Sharing your own story can be powerful. When you open up, you create space for others to do the same. 

Grief is something we all experience, but support at work can make the journey a little easier. Let’s keep the conversation going.  

If you want to learn more about helping your employees this National Grief Awareness Week - join us for our Compassionate Leadership Training. This session equips managers with the skills to support employees through life’s toughest moments. Click below to find out more!