Healthcare management

3.4.2 Workplace health

Employers also have a role in providing access to and awareness of end-of-life resources for their employees. By providing comprehensive benefits packages that include time off for caregiving and bereavement, as well as access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with specialized counselling for terminal illness and grief, companies can directly reduce the financial and emotional burden on their workforce.

The comprehensive employee support programs offered by major US corporations to employees and their families facing a terminal illness go beyond the standard federal requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act. For instance, some companies offer enhanced paid leave for caregiving and bereavement, in addition to flexible work arrangements and access to dedicated social workers or counsellors through their Employee Assistance Programs. This reduces financial stress, provides psychological support and has been shown to lead to lower employee turnover, higher productivity, and reduced healthcare costs associated with untreated stress and mental health issues.

Hospice UK’s ‘Compassionate Employers’ Program (Hospice UK, 2025a) directly partners with companies to help them create supportive workplaces. By providing assessments, training, and resources, the program helps businesses become more compassionate and better equipped to support employees dealing with grief, caring responsibilities, or terminal illness..

This is not just a philanthropic gesture; research indicates that for every £1 invested in compassionate workplaces, companies can see a return of over £2 in improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and higher employee retention (Hospice UK, 2025a).

By creating a supportive environment, businesses can ensure that employees feel valued during one of the most difficult times in their lives, leading to a more engaged and loyal workforce.