If an employee passes away
- U.S. employees: Managers should notify their HR Manager and Benefits Business Partner immediately.
- Employees outside the U.S.: Managers should work with their HR Manager to contact local HR, who will initiate the appropriate country-specific steps.
Support for the family
- Survivor concierge service: The U.S. Survivor Support Program, administered by TenCode, connects the family with a dedicated counselor. This counselor helps guide them through Microsoft benefits and claims, including life, accident, or disability claims.
- Health coverage: If the employee had dependents enrolled in Microsoft’s health plan, Microsoft subsidizes COBRA coverage for medical, dental, and vision for one year.
- Financial and legal services: Beneficiaries or executors receive financial counseling through Ayco and legal support through ARAG.
- Stock awards and 401(k): All unvested stock awards fully accelerate upon death. TenCode also provides guidance on transferring the employee’s 401(k) to the beneficiary.
- Annual bonus: If the employee was eligible, the bonus is calculated and paid to the estate.
- 4 week lump sum payment: A lump sum payment included in the employees final paycheck.
- Other benefits: Additional support may apply depending on the employee’s enrollments, such as accident coverage, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts. TenCode will advise the family accordingly.
Support for the team
- Grief counseling: Individual and team support is available through Spring Health, Microsoft’s Employee Assistance Program. Managers can call (855) 629-0554, option 4 (manager support), then option 1 to coordinate onsite or virtual group support and 1:1 counseling. Please identify yourself as a Microsoft HRM/Manager requesting CISM services.
- Manager guidance: Managers are encouraged to offer condolences to the family and provide appropriate support to the team. The Guide to Supporting Employee Caregivers and Grieving Employees is available to help.
Additional resources
On the US Benefits site, employees will find a guide to help them as they grieve the death of a family member. To access that guide (or return to it), see I'm Dealing with the Death of a Family Member. Information on Bereavement Leave is also available.
Microsoft CARES also offers programs and resources to support mental and emotional wellbeing.
