Potential implementation: 2027

What is the position now?

Employees who suffer the loss of a child are currently entitled to up to two weeks of paid bereavement leave.

What is changing?

The government plans to introduce a new right to bereavement leave following the death of a close relative, not just a child.

Employees will be entitled to at least one week off, although this leave is expected to be unpaid. The law will set out which relationships are covered.

The new right is also expected to cover miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

What does this mean for employers?

Employers will need to be aware of the wider range of situations where staff may be entitled to time off following a bereavement and ensure managers handle requests sensitively and consistently.

As at Feb 26