When a working parent experiences bereavement or is facing the expected death of a loved one, it can be extremely challenging to manage their own emotions while also supporting children through such a difficult time. This can place more demands on their time and wellbeing and impact their work performance.

Employers can help by encouraging open communication, listening, and reminding staff about their legal rights to time off. Offering flexible working arrangements or compassionate leave (paid or unpaid) are practical ways to offer support. Colleagues can also provide emotional support and help share workload.

Some businesses may provide counselling, but support for the wider family often falls outside their remit. HOLG offers specialist help, as CEO Jules Tobin explains:

“Bereavement can turn a child’s world upside down, causing anxiety and unexpected behaviours. Adults often don’t know how best to help. We hope employers learn to know who we are, so they can direct staff to us for therapeutic support that focuses on children as well as their families.

“We provide bereavement weekends, online or face-to-face support, phone calls, resource packs, and parent/carer groups. We can help if a death is expected, or if it has already happened – recent or not.

“Helping children and their parents understand emotions supports healthier family grieving, better work-life balance, and enables stronger employer support.”

Clinical Lead Debbie McSwiney, said: “We’ve been pleased to hear from our families that some employers are already being very supportive – it makes such a difference to a grieving parent who is trying to cope and juggle things.”

If you’re an employer who needs help to support a bereaved employee, please get in touch.