CNV pushes for legal bereavement leave: employees often feel pressured to return to work quickly after a major loss

The trade union CNV is advocating for legally mandated bereavement leave in the Netherlands, citing significant pressure on employees to return to work prematurely after the loss of a loved one. According to a union survey of 1,500 employees, nearly one-third of respondents felt forced to return to work too quickly, and one in ten eventually suffered from burnout. While many employers aim to support staff, the union notes that formal arrangements are lacking in approximately 30 percent of businesses, where employees may only receive a single day off for a funeral. To address this, the CNV has introduced guidelines to help workplaces handle bereavement more effectively. However, the union believes these voluntary measures are insufficient. Chair Hans van den Heuvel is urging politicians to prioritize a legislative proposal for bereavement leave that has been pending for two years, arguing that a national law is necessary to protect those whose employers do not provide adequate support or flexibility during their grieving process.