Yes – more legislative changes.
From April 2027, a new statutory bereavement leave entitlement is expected to come into force. This will extend the existing Parental Bereavement Leave provisions rather than replace them.
The existing right to two weeks’ Parental Bereavement Leave for employees who lose a child under 18, or experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks, will remain in place, including statutory bereavement pay for eligible employees.
The new legislation will extend statutory bereavement leave to other circumstances, including the death of a:
- spouse or partner
- parent
- adult child
- sibling
It will also cover certain step, half, adoptive, kinship care and foster relationships.
Employees will be able to take bereavement leave flexibly within 56 weeks of the death.
In addition, women and their partners who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks will be entitled to up to two weeks’ unpaid bereavement leave.
The Government has confirmed that this will cover different forms of pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, termination and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers. The Government has specifically confirmed that employees taking the new bereavement leave will not be required to provide evidence of the loss.
What employers should do now
Employers should review their bereavement leave policies to ensure they cover the April 2027 legislation regarding pregnancy loss and the extension to the existing parental bereavement leave provision.
Our clients won’t need to worry about doing this – we have them all covered.
