Lack of bereavement support puts UK employers at risk of talent loss 

Nearly half of UK employees would leave their job if they felt unsupported after a bereavement, according to new research from bereavement support technology company Empathy. 

The findings, published in Empathy’s report The Cost of Loss: The UK’s Bereavement Burden, point to a widening gap between what employees expect from employers following a loss and what is currently provided. The research suggests this gap is now affecting recruitment, retention and workplace performance. 

The study shows that 92 per cent of UK employees place a high value on bereavement-related benefits when considering a potential employer, while 23 per cent say these benefits would directly influence their decision to accept a role. Nearly half (48 per cent) say they would leave their job if the support they received after a loss was inadequate. 

Expectations are even higher among younger workers. The figure rises to 57 per cent for Millennials and 74 per cent for Gen Z, highlighting a generational shift in attitudes to workplace wellbeing and employer responsibility. 

Bereavement support also ranked more highly than several established workplace benefits. When asked which benefits they value most, respondents placed bereavement support ahead of parental leave, employee assistance programmes or counselling services, and gym or fitness memberships. 

The research suggests the issue goes beyond attraction and retention, with clear implications for productivity and morale. In the year following a bereavement, 30 per cent of respondents said they regularly struggled to concentrate at work, while 27 per cent reported being less productive. One in four said their productivity and performance had been affected, and a third (33 per cent) said they needed to take time off following a loss. 

Empathy says these findings reflect a growing bereavement burden across the UK workforce, driven by longer life expectancy, increased caring responsibilities and the administrative, legal and financial pressures that follow a death. Many employees are attempting to manage this burden alongside their day-to-day roles, often with limited structured support from their employer. 

Clare Dodd, UK general manager at Empathy, said “Workplace wellbeing has evolved, and it’s now evident that standard policies alone are not enough. Organisations have a clear opportunity to step in with bereavement support that is both practical and genuinely human-centred. 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.” 

Empathy’s research suggests bereavement is becoming a defining issue for UK workplaces, with consequences for wellbeing, engagement and performance if left unaddressed. As workforce expectations continue to shift, the report argues that how employers respond to loss may increasingly shape their ability to attract, support and retain talent.