Creating a supportive workplace: The vital role of bereavement training

It can be difficult to talk about personal matters at work, particularly bereavement and especially the sensitive topic of pregnancy and baby loss. However, we know from listening to those who have been through these experiences that having a supportive workplace is vital for their wellbeing.

The first step towards a psychologically safe and supportive environment is to start with listening to what staff want and need.

Employees who have experienced pregnancy and baby loss often discuss the challenges of balancing work with the impact of grief on their mental and physical health. They also are often navigating practical matters such as attending medical appointments, supporting other children, organising a funeral, and attending counselling.

Managers and colleagues of those affected report feeling ill-equipped to navigate the delicate nuances of their colleagues’ grief. A recurring theme is often not knowing what to say, not knowing the most appropriate way to manage a bereaved team member, and not knowing rights, obligations and laws.

Pregnancy and baby loss is more common than many people realise. 50 per cent of UK adults have, or know someone who has, experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss (ref1). A recent survey carried out by Sands found that 52 per cent of bereaved parents did not feel supported by the colleagues or managers at work (ref2). However, wonderfully supportive workplaces do exist;

“My manager was entirely supportive in my return giving me lots of flexibility to return on my terms. I was offered support from an occupational therapist to do a phased return and counselling through the employee assistance programme.”

In addition to the emotional toll, bereavement can have significant economic implications for businesses.

According to our Sands report, 40 per cent of bereaved parents experienced an impact on their work, with 20 per cent taking time off, and 15 per cent changing their working hours or reducing their workload. 64 per cent of bereaved parents felt that their work had a negative impact on their mental health.

As reported by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the annual cost of miscarriage alone in the UK is £471m. These findings highlight the tangible costs associated with bereavement-related challenges in the workplace, emphasising the importance of proactive support mechanisms.

Sands have developed a suite of tools and training designed to give practical help as well as confidence building skills. Sands bereavement training is designed to give employees helpful insights and equip them with the tools and confidence to support anyone experiencing pregnancy or baby loss.

Feedback from those attending our training has been overwhelmingly positive;

“I just wanted to say that I really felt like the training you delivered was so useful on a personal and a professional level. I was really nervous about attending because I thought that the training may be quite triggering for me and upsetting, but I came away from it feeling heard and understood and that you have such a good understanding of the complexity of feelings that go with losing a baby.”

Our aim is for this knowledge to become much more familiar in every workplace across the UK no matter the industry, sector or setting.

We have been inspired by several organisations who have led the way by establishing employee-led networks, and policies that align with our training and recommendations. They report on improved wellbeing, productivity and retention. As an organisation, we have been present at several speaker events with thousands of employees across the UK joining the discussion, openly and safely, in an environment put in place by their employers.

Such events demonstrate how many companies are now able to better manage the topic of bereavement in the workplace. It is encouraging to see this emerging trend cross-industries and demographics.

The societal and workplace impact of pregnancy and baby loss is significant. By investing in bereavement in the workplace training, companies not only fulfil their duty of care for their staff but also contribute to the mental health and resilience of their workforce in the long term.

It's time for organisations to engage in open conversations and create a workplace that supports employees through one of life's most challenging experiences.

Clare Worgan, head of training and strategic planning, Sands
When her daughter was stillborn, she was inspired to leave her career in engineering and become a midwife. Early in her midwifery training, Clare realised a passion for bereavement care and joined the team at Sands, initially as a Trustee and now as the head of training and strategic planning. Clare is an advocate for trauma-informed care and believes that communication, compassion, and informed choice are vital for the wellbeing of bereaved parents and families.

Find out more about Sands’ Training at Sands.org.uk/BITW

Free training for small and medium sized organisations
Thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Social Care, Sands are delighted to be able to provide Bereavement in the Workplace training to small and medium sized organisations (up to 249 staff) for free. Their next open access session for SMEs takes place at 10:00am on the 18 July.

Support for you

Sands offer support to anyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss, whenever this happened, for as long as may be needed. If you have been affected, find ways you can get support at www.sands.org.uk/support

Sands awareness week
This Sands Awareness Week, 17- 23 June, Sands will be helping everyone find the words to talk about pregnancy and baby loss. The Finding the Words campaign is part of Sands’ aim to break the silence around pregnancy loss and baby death.

By giving everyone the confidence to sensitively start a conversation with someone who has had this experience, however long ago, we can all play our part, so no one feels isolated or alone. Sands is here to help.

Find out how you and your colleagues can get support and how your company can get involved this year: sands.org.uk/sands-awareness-week

References

1. YouGov survey commissioned by the Baby Loss Awareness Week Alliance

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2121 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14th - 15th August 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

2. Sands 2023 Bereaved Parents’ Experience of Care Report

3. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development