A new study highlights a critical shortfall in the support people receive from employers and institutions versus what they need when grieving.
A report from Empathy, a technology based company who help people plan for and navigate life’s toughest moments, has identified a looming crisis for employers around the support and wellbeing of employees experiencing bereavement.
‘The Cost of Loss: The UK’s Bereavement Burden’ shows that as the UK’s population live longer, there are more people caring for ageing parents while supporting their own families. As a result, a growing share of the workforce is now carrying an enormous bereavement burden. When a loved one dies, they are left to navigate months of administrative, legal, financial, and emotional strain, all while attempting to stay productive at work.
The report reveals that employers are struggling to keep pace with these rising pressures. Bereavement has become a defining challenge for UK workplaces, and the gap between what employees need and what organisations currently provide is fuelling a crisis in wellbeing, productivity, and retention.
Employers Risk a Talent Exodus
Employees increasingly expect meaningful support from their employers following loss. Empathy’s study showed that nearly half (48%) of people who have experienced loss would leave their job if the support received is inadequate – a figure that rises sharply among younger generations, to 57% of Millennials and 74% of Gen Z.
An overwhelming 92% of respondents said they place a high value on bereavement-related employee benefits, and nearly a quarter (23%) said this would influence their decision when considering a potential employer. Notably, every single Gen Z respondent (100%) placed high value on bereavement-related employee benefits, underscoring a generational shift in expectations around wellbeing at work.
When asked which benefits are most valuable when considering an employer, bereavement support (23%) came above parental leave (17%) Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) / counselling services (11%), or a gym membership and fitness benefits (5%).
The Hidden Cost of Inadequate Bereavement Support at Work
While it is accepted that bereavement impacts workplace productivity, Empathy’s report shows the full extent of this. It is widely understood that bereavement affects workplace productivity, but Empathy’s report reveals just how significant and long-lasting that impact can be.
In the year following a bereavement, almost a third (30%) said they regularly struggled to concentrate at work, and more than a quarter (27%) said they were less productive. Millennials were most affected overall, with 37% regularly struggling to concentrate, 35% reporting lower productivity, and 16% frequently missing work in the months after losing a loved one. This demonstrates a clear need for employers to provide specialised bereavement support to meet the current and next generation of talent.
“Workplace wellbeing has evolved, and it’s now evident that standard policies alone are not enough,” says Clare Dodd, Empathy’s UK General Manager. “Organisations have a clear opportunity to step in with bereavement support that is both practical and genuinely human-centred.”
Empathy have just entered the UK market bringing their flagship product, Empathy Loss Support, to help families manage the full burden that follows a death. The pressures highlighted in the research reflect the growing need that informed Empathy’s decision to bring its offering to the UK. “Our goal is to raise the standard of bereavement care at scale, ensuring every employee feels guided, supported, and able to navigate one of life’s most challenging moments,” says Dodd.
Ron Gura, Co-Founder & CEO of Empathy, commented: “Launching in the UK is a significant milestone for Empathy as we expand our mission to one of the world’s most forward-thinking markets for employee wellbeing and insurance innovation. Since 2020, we’ve supported millions across North America through the practical, logistical, and financial challenges that follow a loss. Our focus now is to bring that same level of clarity, efficiency, and trusted support to families in the UK. By partnering with employers and institutions, we aim to raise the standard of bereavement care and ensure people have the guidance they need to navigate one of life’s most complex moments.”
