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Health & Wellbeing

Bereavement benefits now a top priority for workers, research finds 

Research from Empathy found 48% of respondents said they would leave their job if support after a loss was inadequate, rising to 57% for Millennials and 74% for Gen Z. 

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Bereavement benefits now a top priority for workers, research finds 
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Empathy, a technology company focused on bereavement support, has launched its loss support service in the UK. 

The move followed the publication of its report, ‘The Cost of Loss: The UK’s Bereavement Burden’, which found a shortfall in the support people receive from employers and institutions after a bereavement.

Nearly half (48%) of respondents said they would leave their job if support after a loss was inadequate, rising to 57% for Millennials and 74% for Gen Z. 

Bereavement benefits were valued by 92% of those surveyed, and 23% said these would influence their choice of employer. 

Every Gen Z respondent said bereavement benefits were important. 

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Bereavement support was considered more important than parental leave, employee assistance programmes or gym membership.

Additionally, the report found almost a third (30%) struggled to concentrate at work in the year after a bereavement, while more than a quarter (27%) reported lower productivity. 

Millennials were most affected, with 37% regularly struggling to concentrate, 35% less productive, and 16% missing work in the months following a loss.

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Clare Dodd, UK general manager at Empathy, said: “Workplace wellbeing has evolved, and it’s now evident that standard policies alone are not enough. 

“Organisations have a clear opportunity to step in with bereavement support that is both practical and genuinely human-centred. 

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“As we enter the UK, we’re committed to helping employers close the growing gap between what people need and what they currently receive.”

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Dodd added: “Our goal is to raise the standard of bereavement care at scale, ensuring every employee feels guided, supported, and able to navigate one of life’s most challenging moments.”

Ron Gura, co-founder and CEO of empathy, said: “Launching in the UK is a significant milestone for Empathy as we expand our mission to one of the world’s most forward-thinking markets for employee wellbeing and insurance innovation. 

“Since 2020, we’ve supported millions across North America through the practical, logistical, and financial challenges that follow a loss. 

“Our focus now is to bring that same level of clarity, efficiency, and trusted support to families in the UK.” 

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Gura added: “By partnering with employers and institutions, we aim to raise the standard of bereavement care and ensure people have the guidance they need to navigate one of life’s most complex moments.”

Danny Rimer, partner at Index Ventures, said: “We’re proud to back Empathy as they bring their transformative approach to the UK market. 

“Since we invested in their Series B, we have witnessed their remarkable growth firsthand. We believe there is a huge market opportunity ahead, and we’re excited to support them as they reach this next milestone. 

“They’ve built something totally different: a service that combines deep empathy with practical guidance to meet families where they are, with both expertise and heart.”

Rimer added: “This kind of human-centred support is essential, and Empathy ensures that no one has to navigate grief and loss alone.”

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