Cruse Bereavement Care and Labour Relations Agency launch new guidance on Bereavement in the Workplace

At any time 1 in 10 employees is likely to be affected when someone dies.  Grief impacts on the emotional, physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing of a bereaved person. On 12 March 2015 the Labour Relations Agency and Cruse Bereavement Care launched a new guide for employers which aims to help employers manage and support employees both in the aftermath of bereavement and in the longer term.

 The new guidance, produced by the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland closely follows the guide developed by Acas in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Care and other valued partners.

 Marie Mallon, Chair of the Labour Relations Agency says, “Regretfully bereavement is something experienced by most of us during our lifetime.  How this is handled in the workplace can have a profound effect on an employee and indeed on the relationship between employer and employee.  This Guide aims to assist employers to respond appropriately to the grief and practical needs of the employee that has suffered a bereavement.  We are grateful to Cruse for the opportunity to work in partnership with them in the launch of this important guidance.”

 Anne Townsend, Director of Cruse in Northern Ireland says, “Cruse is delighted that the Labour Relations Agency has produced this guide which is an opportunity to improve bereavement care in the workplace. Just recently an employee told me of her experience which highlights the need for improved practice for employees. Jane returned to work 3 weeks after her husband’s sudden death and a short period of sick leave. She felt pressured to return to work and knew she couldn’t give 100% so she resigned. This guide provides clear guidance for employers and Cruse can offer training and support for employers to improve the care of employees.”

 Copies of the guide are available to download from the Labour Relations Agency’s website www.lra.org.uk.  Information on Cruse Bereavement Care services is available on www.cruse.org.uk .  For further information on training in Northern Ireland, email [email protected]

                   For further information contact:

Cruse Bereavement Care      T:  028 9079 2419