New right to parental bereavement leave

Currently there is only a limited legal right for employees to take leave to make practical arrangements following a dependant’s death. This includes arranging and attending a funeral but does not include compassionate leave to cope with the emotional distress of the death itself.

However, the Government have announced that from 6 April 2020 there will be a new right to parental bereavement leave. This will mean that an employee who loses a child under the age of 18 or who suffers a still birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to two weeks’ statutory leave to be taken in one block or as two separate blocks of one week. The leave will be paid for employees who have at least 26 weeks’ service and meet the minimum earnings criteria. Parental bereavement pay will be the same as maternity pay, i.e. £151.20 per week or 90% of weekly earnings if lower.

For further information please contact David Coward on 01722 410664 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.