The Work Couch: Bereavement at work

Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.

We will all, unfortunately, experience bereavement at some stage in our lives, but how does this impact our working lives and what can employers do to support colleagues who have lost a loved one?

Ellie Gelder is joined by Rosie Gill-Moss, host of the WidowedAF podcast, and Victoria Othen, consultant at RPC and part-time employment judge, to discuss:

• Rosie's own experience of becoming a widow at a young age and the impact on her wellbeing;
• What grief looks like and the fact that grieving is not a linear process;
• The practicalities of "death admin" and how employers can help bereaved employees manage the practical tasks when someone dies;
• What to say, and what not to say, to someone on their return to work following their bereavement;
• The importance of recognising that a person's caring responsibilities may have increased as a result of the bereavement; and
• What the law says about time off for different types of bereavement, including: compassionate leave, parental bereavement leave, and whether such time off is paid or unpaid.

* Please note these podcasts will not run on Internet Explorer

To access further support on grief and bereavement you may wish to visit: Cruse Bereavement Support, At a Loss, The Good Grief Trust, Widowed and Young, Holding On Letting Go, and the Government's Tell Us Once service.

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All information is correct at the time of recording.  

The Work Couch is not a substitute for legal advice.