an image of the Grief in the workplace logo from IHF

Grief in the Workplace

As the national charity for dying, death and bereavement in Ireland, a key part of our work is to build awareness of bereavement and loss, and how the resulting grief can impact person’s life. Although bereavement and loss are universal, grief (which is the reaction to a person has to a loss) is a unique and very personal process for each employee.

Each year in Ireland 35,000 people die and it is estimated that 10 people are impacted by each death. Many of us will be employed or working at the time we experience this, and given that we spend a significant proportion of our waking hours at work, the workplace plays a vital role in an employee’s grieving experience. Oftentimes, outside of our immediate family and friends, our manager will be the first person we call when we are bereaved, so their response is critical.  

"Grief can split a person in two and can change the course of your life’’

Manager, IHF Focus Group Participant

For this reason, we have been running a successful grief in the workplace (GITW) programme for over 10 years and have developed a suite of training, educational resources and interventions for employees experiencing grief at work. The overall aim of the GITW programme is to help employees have the best possible care in their workplaces when they are bereaved or grieving. We do this by equipping workplaces with the tools to embed grief in the workplace into their overall wellbeing strategy in a proactive way.  

Using a workplace health promotion approach we help organisations create environments that are conducive to good grieving through the implementation of measures that not only protect grieving employees health and wellbeing but go as far as having a positive impact on their overall experience.  

We have seen the big impact that small changes can make to a person when they experience one of life’s most difficult challenges and are passionate about helping workplaces of all types deliver this care.

Find Out More About Grief in the Workplace

an illustration from IHF's Grief in the Workplace Programme depicting a manager supporting a bereaved colleague

Supporting a Grieving Colleague

While many of us will have experience of supporting a bereaved colleague, it is still something that employees find challenging. Follow our guidance on this page to help you support a grieving colleague.

an illustration of a grieving employee being comforted by her colleagues

I Want to Develop a Bereavement Policy

For any organisation to truly embed bereavement and grief support into the organisation, commitment from HR and upper-level management is required. Find more information on how to develop a comprehensive and effective bereavement policy.

an image of a young, bereaved amployee

My Workplace Needs Training

Grief does not happen in isolation from normal life and a grieving person must process emotion, and the implications of their loss while also continuing to live – and work. Find practical steps your organisation can take to create a healthy work environment.

an image of the front cover of "Making the Case for Good Grief in the Workplace" proposal by Amy Gibney

I Want to Learn More About Why Grief in the Workplace Matters

Our grief in the workplace programme is evidence-based, meaning all of our content is developed using up to date research, helping you make the case to your employer.