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# Divorce support at work: Survey reveals stark gender divide
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/divorce-support-at-work-survey-reveals-stark-gender-divide/
- Published: 2026-09-22T07:21:09.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T07:21:09.000Z
- Description: Women are far more likely than men to believe employers should support staff going through a relationship breakdown, according to new regional research – with men three times as likely to say bosses have no role to play at all.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Business, Ellisons Solicitors, Lisa Dawson, Jonathan Insley

**Why it matters:** The research, commissioned by local law firm Ellisons, suggests employees experiencing separation or divorce want understanding from their employers, but how much support is expected differs sharply by gender.

**By the numbers:** Of the adults surveyed across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk:

- 44% said employers should offer flexible working arrangements to employees experiencing a relationship breakdown, separation or divorce
- 36% felt employers should provide paid leave to attend mediation, court hearings or deal with childcare commitments
- 35% believed access to mental health support should be available
- 17% felt employers should have no additional role at all

**The gender divide:** Women were notably more likely than men to support workplace help.

- 41% of women backed paid leave for mediation, court hearings or childcare commitments, compared with 31% of men
- 40% of women supported access to mental health support, compared with 29% of men
- Men were three times more likely than women to say employers should have no additional role – 27% compared with 9%

**What they're saying:** Lisa Dawson, Partner and Head of Family at Ellisons, said: "Relationship breakdown is one of the biggest life events most people will ever experience. Even the most amicable separation brings uncertainty, difficult decisions and emotional pressure, yet people are still expected to turn up to work and carry on as normal. Most people aren't looking for special treatment. They simply hope that, if they need a little flexibility to attend mediation, deal with childcare arrangements or manage an unexpected challenge, someone will understand. That's why these findings feel so relevant."

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/09/Ellisons_Lisa_Dawson.jpg)

Lisa Dawson (Photo: Ellisons)

Jonathan Insley, Partner and Head of Employment at Ellisons, said there is no specific legal obligation on employers to provide support during a relationship breakdown or divorce, but added: "Employers should be mindful of their wider legal obligations, including respecting employee privacy, avoiding discrimination, considering flexible working requests reasonably, and safeguarding employee health, safety and wellbeing. The appropriate response will depend on the circumstances, but many organisations will wish to consider whether practical support can be offered. This may be as simple as having a confidential conversation, allowing flexibility for appointments or childcare arrangements, signposting wellbeing support, or checking in on an employee's welfare."

**For context:** The research was conducted on 6 July 2026 among 349 adults across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, with more than 100 respondents from each county.

**The bottom line:** The findings suggest most people expect some form of workplace support during relationship breakdown – but men and women see employers' responsibilities through markedly different eyes.

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