Bereaved Kenyan workers are not given enough time to grieve

Some of the family members who lost their loved ones are overcome with grief during the memorial service for the National Police and Kenya prisons services’ fallen heroes at the National Police College, Embakasi A Campus on December 14, 2023. [Phoebe Okall, Standard]

A day after I signed my new work contract last year, I lost my dad. My new employer granted me a 12-day compassionate leave, but the period proved inadequate for me to properly grieve and heal. In the end, I terminated the contract prematurely for the sake of my mental health and to completely heal from the loss. I gave up on a job that I dearly loved.

The loss of a loved one or a close friend can be emotionally devastating and healing from the trauma requires adequate time. In today’s world, productivity is valued above everything else and this often leads to other vital aspects of life being overlooked. In the corporate sector, people are expected to soldier on so fast from a loss that they are not given enough time to grieve and deal with the emotional torture associated with death. I urge that compassionate leave be increased and made flexible for people to completely heal after a loss.  

According to World Health Organisation, nearly one billion people worldwide suffered from mental disorders as of June 2022. Government statistics show that at least one in every four Kenyans suffer mental illness at some point in their lives, a number which could be reduced if people were given the chance to grief fully after a loss. Grief affects people in various ways and can manifest sadness, anger, guilt, or even physical symptoms like fatigue and insomnia. The grieving process is unique to each individual depending on the relationship with the person they have lost.

Our modern work culture often lacks the necessary compassion and flexibility to accommodate those who are grieving. Just like in my case, employees are expected to return to work almost immediately after the burial, neglecting the fact that one cannot actually set aside their grief to focus on professional responsibilities.

Going back to work, had me suppress my grief which eventually led to burn out, lack of concentration at work, tension, and I eventually suffered a serious migraine that had me admitted to the hospital for two weeks. This takes me to the key reason why people should be given an adequate recovery period off work after a loss, which is to allow them to grieve and heal in a healthy and constructive manner. Suppressing grief and forcing oneself to work can catalyse a mental breakdown and worse still affect the victim’s physical health. By granting a period of recovery, individuals have the time and space to process their emotions, seek support, and gradually return to a state of emotional stability.

I quit my job when I could no longer handle the work pressure amidst my grief. This affected the company since they had to start the hiring process once more, something that could have been avoided if I had enough time to heal. Employees who feel supported during their times of grief are more likely to stay with their employer, reducing turnover and the costs associated with recruiting and training new staff. Additionally, these employees are likely to be more engaged and productive once they return to work as they have had the opportunity to heal and address their emotional needs.

The number of days for compassionate leave varies from one organisation to the other. While mine was 12 days, for others it’s usually 14 working days and to others, the leave is as short as five days. However, this time is too short for someone to recover from the effects of the loss they experienced and get themselves together for professional responsibilities. It’s crucial to consider that dealing with the impact of a loss usually happens after the burial, once initial support has faded, and everyone has returned to their normal lives. It’s therefore important for employers to consider giving their employees some time off after the burial to get them to recover fully and stabilise their mental health before getting back to work. This will create a more productive society and a healthier workforce.

A compassionate workplace is a productive one. Let’s create a more supportive work environment that benefits everyone involved. It's time for employers and society as a whole to prioritise the emotional well-being of their employees by reconsidering their grieving periods.

Ms Wachira is a journalism graduate and a mental health care enthusiast