If Dying Matters, it matters at work too

Dealing with bereavement is so often seen as a very personal matter, confined to family and friends and dealt with at home. But so much of our time is spent at work, we shouldn’t have to hide our experiences of death and dying from our colleagues.

This May, Hospice UK’s annual Dying Matters Week focuses on dealing with bereavement in the workplace. Their research shows 57% of all employees will have experienced a bereavement in the past five years, but less than one in five managers would feel confident supporting a bereaved employee.

There can be a lot of stigma around talking about grieving, death and dying, as well as a lack of understanding about what it means to be ill and what happens when you’re dying. Without others realising, colleagues could be dealing with their own illness, caring for those around them, or grieving for someone they have lost.

Starting a conversation about this can feel awkward, as so many of us struggle to find the right words to say and worry about upsetting people. But avoiding the issue can be so much worse.

At Wigan & Leigh Hospice we support thousands of people every year as they face some of the most difficult times of their life. Our specially trained staff see the realities of death, dying and grief every day, but that doesn’t mean they don’t continue to be affected by it themselves – both personally and professionally.

Like any other workplace, we want to ensure our staff are given the support they need when dealing with life’s inevitable challenges, so we’ve been hosting events which encourage them to talk about and prioritise their own wellbeing. Often it’s the most simple things that can make a difference; going for a walk in the park, taking time for a coffee with friends or reading a book.

We want our team to be open about their own feelings at work and share their experiences. All too often, conversations that seem so intimidating, aren’t actually as difficult as they seem, and those involved almost always feel better afterwards.

This approach could be adopted by any workplace and doesn’t only have to be the responsibility of managers. If you see a colleague who might be struggling, don’t be afraid to talk to them about it. Having someone to talk to could make a big difference. Everyone copes with grief differently, so listen to what they have to tell you and respect their emotions.

These small steps could all make a big difference in the workplace, showing our colleagues who may be struggling with illness, caring responsibilities or bereavement, that their feelings matter.

For more information about bereavement support in the workplace, visit the Hospice UK website

There can be a lot of stigma around talking about grieving, death and dying, as well as a lack of understanding about what it means to be ill and what happens when you’re dying. Without others realising, colleagues could be dealing with their own illness, caring for those around them, or grieving for someone they have lost.