Ipsos survey on bereavement leave policies

Over half (55%) of UK employees know little or nothing about their employer’s bereavement leave policy.  

The current statutory legal requirement for bereavement leave in the UK is specifically for Parental Bereavement Leave, which covers the loss of a child under the age of 18 or still birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Amongst UK adults, 87% think that paid bereavement leave should cover the loss of one or more of seven different close family members or a close friend[1] (in addition to a child under 18 years or still birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy).

The research highlighted a desire for flexible and accommodating bereavement leave policies; 69% UK adults agree that employers should have a bereavement policy in place that accommodates different religious needs, and 86% think employers should have a bereavement policy in place that allows for flexibility when employees take time off.

While 82% of UK adults agree that it's important to talk openly about death, 73% agree that generally, people in the UK are reluctant to talk about death.

About the research 

The research was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Lucky Generals. Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 2,213 adults aged 16-75 (of which 1,297 are in full or part time employment) in the United Kingdom using its online i:omnibus between 15th-18th November 2024. 

The sample obtained is representative of the population of this audience with interlocking quotas on age and gender, and quotas on region and working status. The data has been weighted to the known offline population proportions of this audience for age and working status within gender, and for government office region, social grade and education, to reflect the adult population of this audience of the United Kingdom.

[1] Note: Seven different close family members or friends were defined in the survey as follows: Child aged 18 or over, Spouse / Partner, Parent, Sibling, Grandparent, Grandchild, Close friend