Grief is a deeply personal and universally experienced emotion that can have a profound impact on an individual's life, yet it is overlooked as a protected characteristic. Adding grief to the list of protected characteristics would send a powerful message that society recognises the importance of acknowledging and respecting the emotional impact of loss.

Grief can manifest in a variety of ways and can be triggered by a range of circumstances, such as the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, and can also affect an individual's physical health.

By recognising grief as a protected characteristic, employers and organisations would be legally required to provide accommodations and support for those who are grieving. This could include bereavement leave, access to counselling or support groups, and reasonable adjustments to workloads or responsibilities.

Furthermore, the inclusion of grief as a protected characteristic would help to reduce the stigma and discrimination that can often be associated with grief. It would provide a legal framework for individuals to seek recourse if they feel they have been discriminated against due to their grieving status.

In short, adding grief to the list of protected characteristics would be a crucial step towards creating a more compassionate and supportive society that values the emotional well-being of all its members.

I have personally witnessed the detrimental effects that the lack of support for grieving individuals can have, including my own experience. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of awareness and understanding of the impact of grief, and it can even be considered a taboo subject that is ignored or replaced by medication. It is not uncommon for individuals to be misdiagnosed by their GP and given anti-depressants instead of the support they truly need.

In addition to this, employers may discipline, suspend, or even dismiss an employee who is under-performing while dealing with the trauma of grief. This is especially difficult for those who are experiencing cumulative grief due to multiple losses, which can easily lead to bereavement overload.

It is time for grief to be recognised as a protected characteristic alongside the current nine.

age
gender reassignment
being married or in a civil partnership
being pregnant or on maternity leave
disability
race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation

Please sign this petition to support the inclusion of grief as a protected characteristic, so that we can improve the support and awareness for the bereaved.

 

 

 

 

Remember, you are not alone, and it is okay to not be okay.

Raquel Douglas

You Are Not Alone Bereavement Support