HR struggling to provide bereavement support

Almost half (45%) of HR departments do not have agreed policies in place to cope with the aftermath of the death of an employee, and 64% do not have procedures for supporting staff who are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Despite a lack of policies, the research from MetLife Employee Benefits found that 92% of HR departments offer flexible working, 24% provide access to bereavement helplines through their employee benefits provider and 13% offer face-to-face counselling.

In the past two years, around 13% of HR departments have experienced managing a workplace following the death of an employee, and nearly one in three (31%) have had to provide bereavement support to a member of staff who have suffered from a death in the family.

Employees are entitled to take a reasonable amount of time off to deal with the aftermath of the death of a dependant (spouse, child or parent and includes someone who relies on the employee for the provision of care).