Claim 28c87df1Checked 21 Jul 2026
TrueOn the truth scale
“People who have lost someone say that bereavement leave is very important.”
Reasoning & Evidence21 Jul 2026
The claim that "people who have lost someone say that bereavement leave is very important" is well-supported by multiple survey and research findings:
1. **Ipsos UK survey (November 2024):** 87% of UK adults think paid bereavement leave should cover the loss of close family members or close friends, and 86% think employers should have flexible bereavement policies in place. (Surveying 2,213 UK adults aged 16–75.)
2. **Empathy 2026 Workplace Benefits Report:** 95% of employees say bereavement-related benefits are valuable to them, with those who experienced a major life disruption (such as the death of a loved one) being over 1.5× more likely to identify bereavement and grief support as one of their biggest unmet benefits needs.
3. **MetLife poll (reported by Personnel Today):** A poll of 2,003 people found that 21% of bereaved employees would have liked more time off work to manage their grief, and over 55% felt it took up to eight weeks to feel back to "normal" at work — indicating a clear gap between what is offered and what bereaved employees need.
4. **UK Government factsheet (GOV.UK):** The government's own documentation states that "bereavement causes nearly two million working people to suffer from intense grief each year" and that "intense grief impairs an employee's ability to work," justifying the introduction of statutory bereavement leave.
5. **Homethrive survey:** Nearly one in four respondents received no paid time off after a loss, and 47% reported a decline in work performance following a loss — indicating the practical importance of bereavement leave to those who have lost someone.
The claim is a rhetorical generalization ("ask anyone who has lost someone"), but the underlying assertion — that people who have experienced bereavement value bereavement leave — is consistently and strongly supported by survey data from multiple independent sources. The evidence shows overwhelming majorities of both the general public and bereaved employees consider bereavement leave important and valuable.
Sources:
- Ipsos survey on bereavement leave policies (UK), https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/ipsos-survey-bereavement-leave-policies
- Empathy 2026 Workplace Benefits Report via BusinessWire, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224546945/en/Empathys-Workplace-Benefits-Report-Reveals-Most-Urgent-Life-Event-Benefit
- Personnel Today / MetLife poll on bereaved employees, https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/fifth-of-bereaved-employees-would-have-liked-more-time-off-work-poll/
- GOV.UK factsheet: Bereavement, Paternity and Unpaid Parental Leave, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69613116d6532b76df7dcd89/bereavement-paternity-and-unpaid-parental-leave.pdf
- Homethrive Workforce Impact of Loss and Bereavement Survey, https://homethrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Homethrive_Loss_Support_White_Paper.pdf
From speech
They introduced a system that is broken, they put the bill through the roof, and now they want to give us advice on welfare—no thanks! The question should always be not what benefits people are entitled to, but what help we can give people to change their lives. That is what the Work and Pensions Secretary was arguing, and he is right about that. It is a Labour Government that are helping people into work. Leader of the Opposition asks what we have done: more rights for renters, stopping unfair rent hikes, and giving 11 million people greater security and a place to call home; and more rights for workers, including bereavement leave on day one—ask anyone who has lost someone, and they will say just how important it is to have bereavement leave. We have lifted half a million children out of poverty. We often say in this House that every child should go as far as their talent or ability will take them. That does not happen if they are growing up in poverty. The Conservatives have fought us at every turn. I am proud of what we are delivering. There is much more to do.
Sources opened