“Sheryl Sandberg on why we need to expand workplace leave after loss”

[0:00-1:20] Sheryl: I've always believed that people need to feel supported and cared for at work after I lost my husband Dave in 2015, I learned just how important this is. I was so lucky to work at a company that provided bereavement leave and flexibility. I know how rare that is and I deeply believe that it should be for everyone in the US. Only 60% of companies offer three days or less of paid time off after a major loss. And many companies require employees to take their bereavement leave all at once. Even though we know that grief isn't linear and it comes in ways during the hardest moments of their lives, people shouldn't have to worry about their jobs. They deserve time to grieve to rest and to focus on themselves. This means having more than three days off work and taking time as they need rather than all at once. It also means being able to go on leave after losing loved ones outside of their immediate family because extended families and chosen families are just as important for National Grief Awareness Day. My foundation option B has created two research backed tool kits that you can use to advocate for leave in your own workplace if you're an employee who cares about this issue. Our toolkit has step by step instructions to help you make a difference if you're an hr leader pushing for change. We also have a toolkit specifically for you. It features an expert Q and A to teach company leaders about the benefits of expanded leave and key policies you can implement to support more of your employees. No one chooses to go through loss, but companies can choose how they show up for those who are struggling expanding leave is both the compassionate and the right thing to do.