A new East Yorkshire business has launched to support employees dealing with the death of a loved one.
Workplace Bereavement Advocacy builds on charity work stemming from the personal experience of director and founder Jacqui Gunn. It is designed to help employers provide meaningful support to staff during times of grief and loss. They gain access to resources to provide emotional and practical support, creating a safe space to talk about grief.
WPBA addresses an unspoken need, with many uncomfortable talking to their colleagues or managers about loss. Employers can create policies and procedures that support employees in the event of a bereavement, which is critical to maintaining a productive and engaged workforce.
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Jacqui, based in Pocklington, said: “My own experience of losing my father led me to set up the charity, Talking About Loss which in turn led our team to start up WPBA as we found so many of our users acknowledged that their workplace didn’t know how to support them.
“Managers that are trained to help anyone in bereavement promote a positive work culture. When a loved one dies, knowing which way to turn is difficult.
“When a loved one dies, people don’t know what to say and in some cases, avoid talking to that person, even crossing the street in fear of saying the wrong thing. There are no right words to use, as grief differs for everyone. However, our certified bereavement counsellors help employers to create a supportive and compassionate workplace. We understand how difficult it can be for employees to manage grief and loss, and we are committed to helping.”
Fiona Sweeting is a former HR director and career and life coach, now working as a trainer at WPBA. She said: “Businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain the talent they need, so the overall reward and benefits package, together with the company's values, are more important than ever. This pioneering programme is a fantastic addition to employee wellbeing provision and will be hugely impactful for those when they need it.”
