How can an employer deal with an employee struggling to cope at work following the suicide of a relative/friend?

How an employer manages an employee who has suffered bereavement depends on the circumstances. Employers should engage directly with the employee in question to ascertain what it can do to assist the employee, having regard to what is reasonable and its business requirements.

In the immediate aftermath of the bereavement, the employee may be entitled to compassionate leave. Compassionate leave is not a statutory right, but will generally be included in the contract of employment/employee handbook or otherwise a practice of compassionate leave will have developed in the company. The policy or custom and practice regarding compassionate leave will determine the duration of the leave and