Returning to work after the death of someone close is a very significant step. The routine, familiar faces and sense of purpose that work provides can be comforting. However, the thought of conversations with colleagues, managing emotions, or simply getting through the day can feel overwhelming.
There is no “right” time to return to work after bereavement – you may feel ready after a few weeks or considerably longer. Some people may face returning to work sooner due to financial pressures. Grief is deeply personal and everyone’s experience will be different.
Research from Sue Ryder’s Grief in the Workplace report highlights how common bereavement is among working people. The research found that 24% of working-age people had experienced a bereavement in the previous 12 months, equivalent to around 7.9 million employees across the UK. The report also explored the impact grief can have on confidence, concentration, wellbeing and the ability to perform everyday tasks at work, highlighting the importance of compassionate support from employers and colleagues.
Time off work for bereavement
Employees have a legal right to time off if a dependant or their child under 18 dies, or if their child is stillborn. There’s no legal right for you to be paid during time off for bereavement, however some employers may offer to do so. You and your employer should check your employment contract or the organisation’s policy. (acas)
Returning to work
Grief can affect our ability to think clearly, remember information and make decisions. Known as “grief brain”, this is where the emotional impact of loss temporarily affects concentration and mental energy. Returning to a busy workplace may therefore require patience and understanding, both from the person grieving and those around them.
For employers and colleagues, compassionate gestures can be incredibly valuable, such as:
- Asking “how are you doing?” and genuinely listening,
- offering flexibility where possible, and
- recognising that grief does not end when someone returns to work.
When preparing to return to work, it can help to think about what support you might need. This could include:
- a phased return,
- regular check-ins with your manager,
- time away from particularly difficult tasks, or
- simply letting trusted colleagues know that you may have difficult days.
For those supporting someone who is grieving, remember that returning to work does not mean someone has “moved on”. Grief can come in waves, often triggered unexpectedly by a conversation, a date, a photograph or a memory.
At Austin’s, we understand that bereavement affects every part of life, including the workplace. We offer support via services and contacts to navigate the many changes that follow the loss of a loved one.
If you or someone you know is returning to work after a bereavement, take things one day at a time. Allowing space for grief can be an important part of the journey.
