Global Grief Network logoGGN Grief in the Workplace
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 5 of 6

Building a Grief-Aware Workplace

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. A grief-aware culture
  2. Looking at policies
  3. Preparing ahead
  4. Easy to find support

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

A grief-aware culture

In a grief-aware workplace, people know that loss will be met with acknowledgment and reasonable flexibility. Leaders talk about grief openly, and support is easy to find.

Looking at policies

Review bereavement leave and related policies with care. Consider which relationships and losses are covered, whether there is time for travel or cultural practices, and how flexible return options are. Seek qualified HR or legal advice when changing policy.

Preparing ahead

Short trainings, a simple guide for managers, and a plan for responding to a death at work help people act with confidence when a loss happens.

Easy to find support

Make sure people know where to find support: an employee assistance program if one exists, community grief resources, the GGN app and Memory Wall, and crisis lines like 988.

GGN reminder: Grief-aware workplaces are built in calm times, so they are ready when someone is hurting.
GGN practiceWorkplace grief check (about 15 minutes)

List what your workplace already does well for grieving people and one gap you see. Write a small, realistic step toward closing that gap. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 5.1: A simple guide

After several staff losses in one year, a small business owner named Farah wrote a one-page guide for managers on what to say, flexible options, and where to find support.

Questions to consider:

  1. How might the guide help?
  2. What else could Farah add?

Discussion: The guide helps managers respond quickly and consistently. Farah could add a plan for responding if an employee dies, and a list of crisis and community resources.

Reflection Prompts

  1. What would make your workplace more grief-aware?
  2. Which policies might need a fresh look?
  3. Where would staff find grief support today?

Module 5 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.