Heartless bosses are failing to show compassion when employees suffer bereavement, a report revealed yesterday.

The research carried out by the independent union-employer arbitration service Acas found that an estimated one in 10 employees is directly affected by bereavement each year.

But a third of those affected felt they had not been treated with compassion by their employer.

The research also found that nearly nine out of 10 people believed that all employers should have a compassionate employment policy including paid bereavement leave.

Acas has published a new guide on handling bereavement.

Its chairman and former TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “Grief from the death of a loved one can be an extremely sad and emotional experience for anyone.

“It can affect people in different ways in the workplace and managers should have the skills needed to handle it.”