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When loss happens: Supporting employees through life’s hardest moment

Woman with her arms extended next to a mountain lake.

The role of workplace support in times of grief

Some life events are disruptive. Others are defining.

The loss of a loved one is among the most difficult experiences an employee can face, yet it is often overlooked in conversations about workplace support.

While organizations often focus on day-to-day well-being, moments of loss reveal whether employees truly have the support they need to recover.

The impact of loss on resiliency

Grief is not contained to personal life. It affects how employees function across every dimension:

  • Sleep and energy 
  • Emotional regulation 
  • Focus and decision-making 
  • Financial stability 

Our recent research* shows:

  • 72% of employees report stress or anxiety 
  • 60% report sleep challenges 

Loss intensifies both, often for extended periods.

Resiliency, in these moments, is not about returning quickly. It’s about having the support to return sustainably.

Where recovery breaks down

Many employees face barriers when trying to recover from loss:

  • Limited or unclear bereavement leave 
  • Financial pressure to return to work quickly 
  • Lack of structured return-to-work support 
  • Uncertainty about available resources 

Without support, employees may re-engage before they are ready, which can extend recovery time and impact performance.

The role of benefits and beneficiary support

Supporting employees through loss requires more than time away from work.

It requires a coordinated approach that includes:

  • Financial protection so families can maintain stability 
  • Clear and compassionate leave policies 
  • Beneficiary support resources such as grief counseling and planning assistance 
  • Manager awareness and empathy 

For families navigating loss, the experience includes managing logistics, finances, and emotional recovery. Access to thoughtful beneficiary support can make a meaningful difference.

The takeaway

Resiliency is not built in easy moments. It is shaped in the most difficult ones.

Employers who support employees and their families through loss help them recover with stability and confidence. That support not only eases the difficult process of returning to a sense of normalcy but also builds lasting trust and appreciation.

 

*Source: New York Life Group Benefit Solutions survey conducted by Morning Consult between November 21 – December 3, 2025 among a sample of 2002 U.S. employees and 400 employers in the private sector or government. The interviews were conducted online and the data was weighted to approximate a target sample based on gender. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

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New York Life Group Benefit Solutions products and services are provided by Life Insurance Company of North America, New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY, and New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, subsidiaries of New York Life Insurance Company. Life Insurance Company of North America is not authorized in NY and does not conduct business in NY.

SMRU 8854229 Exp. 04/03/2029