Over half of UK workforce unaware of bereavement leave policies
Amongst UK adults, 87% think that paid bereavement leave should cover the loss of one or more of seven different close family members or a close friend
Some 55% of UK employees know little or nothing about their employer’s bereavement leave policy, according to a recent Ipsos survey on behalf of Lucky Generals.
The current statutory legal requirement for bereavement leave in the UK is specifically for Parental Bereavement Leave, which covers the loss of a child under the age of 18 or still birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Amongst UK adults, 87% think that paid bereavement leave should cover the loss of one or more of seven different close family members or a close friend, in addition to a child under 18 years or still birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
As a result, the survey has highlighted a desire for flexible and accommodating bereavement leave policies.
Some 69% of respondents agreed that employers should have a bereavement policy in place that accommodates different religious needs, while 86% think employers should have allowed for flexibility when employees take time off for a bereavement.
While 82% of UK adults agreed that it’s important to talk openly about death, some 73% conceded that, generally, people in the UK are “reluctant to talk about death”.