Dying Matters Awareness Week takes place this year between 8 - 14 May, led by Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign. Throughout the week, people across the country will come together to encourage communities to talk about death, dying, and grief. This year’s theme is Dying Matters at Work.
Death happens to all of us and affects all of us, and being able to talk about dying, grief and bereavement in the workplace is important because we need to know how we can best support each other, whether employer or employee.
57% of employees have experienced bereavement in the last five years and every day, 600 employees give up working to look after ill, disabled or older relatives, but less than one in five employers feel confident in how to support someone they manage through bereavement.
Experiencing a personal bereavement is always distressing, especially when it is unexpected. My lovely father, who had terminal cancer, came to live with me to be cared for after his partner was suddenly diagnosed with terminal cancer too. I was working part-time, and soon realised that he could not be left on his own during the days when I was working and, with the trips to hospital for palliative care needs, we needed some extra help. We were able to employ a carer for the days which I was working, but I felt guilty – like many working carers do. I cannot imagine what it is like for people who are struggling to hold down a job and care for a loved one who is dying, without help – a cause I campaign for with Hospice UK.
Many people struggle at work when dealing with the illness and death of a loved one. People deal with grief in different ways, and it hits us often when we least expect it. It is important for employers to support employees who are caring for a loved one or going through a bereavement. Employees may need some flexibility in the workplace until they hit their stride again, so it helps to have workplace guidance so that employers and employees know what to expect, especially when faced with bereavement. Hospice UK delivers a workplace well-being programme – Compassionate Employers - helping organisations look after their people and support employees through caring, dying and grief.
Just talking can make all the difference.