Research project – BETTER
Bereavement EducaTion and Training for Employers Evaluation and Recommendations.
How can better bereavement training in the workplace bridge the grief support gap?
More and consistent bereavement support is needed amid rising demand due to the impact of COVID-19.
Employers and public-facing organisations have been identified as playing an important role in supporting people who are grieving.
This research looked to establish if bereavement training for employers and public-facing organisations is beneficial, how it should be provided, to whom and whether associated policy change is required.
Dr Felicity Dewhurst, Consultant in Palliative Medicine at St Oswald’s Hospice
Laura Barrett, Community Projects Lead – Bereavement, St Oswald’s Hospice
2021
Research looked to establish if bereavement training for employers and public-facing organisations is beneficial, how it should be provided, to whom and whether associated policy change is required.
In 2021, St Oswald’s Hospice started providing bereavement training for employers and employees in public and private sector organisations.
343 participants from 105 regional and national organisations included local authorities, charities, universities, and health and emergency-service providers have been trained.
Participants from the 105 organisations were asked for expressions of interest to take part in qualitative, semi-structured interviews.
Purposive sampling selected 16 people ensuring data sufficiency and representation from all employment sectors.
Normalisation Process Theory was used as an analysis framework.
Results were organised around four main themes:
- The unique challenges faced by employees and employers following a bereavement
- The gap in bereavement training provision (including recommendations for inclusion and expansion)
- The need for training to be tiered and bespoke (but basic training should be universally received)
- If changes in (organisational and governmental) bereavement policies are required
Employees of varying grades and professions recommend tiered bereavement training for employing organisations.
Perceived benefits include improved support and subsequently mental and physical wellbeing of employees, harmonious and efficient organisations and the development of supportive and compassionate communities.
Recommendations for organisational and governmental bereavement policies include paid leave as standard with flexibility to respond appropriately to individual situations.
Read the published report below.
Read the report