Grief is our response to any major loss, not just to a bereavement. This means that grief is much more of a feature of working life than is generally realised. This course has been developed to help prepare managers, HR professionals and colleagues to be well placed to rise to the challenges involved.

Unresolved grief can have a major detrimental effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing and even, at times, their physical health. A genuine commitment to employee wellness must therefore take account of the significance of loss and grief – whether or not these arise as a result of a bereavement.

These are complex and sensitive matters, and so they need careful handling by people who have a good understanding of loss and grief and have had the opportunity to explore ways of responding supportively. This course has been developed to address these issues, while also emphasizing how common loss and grief issues are in people’s lives, including in the workplace.

Given the sensitivities involved, many people will be tempted to back away and not get involved. This will leave their colleagues feeling unsupported at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

Being prepared to address grief issues appropriately is an important part of employee wellness.