Employees who suffer pregnancy loss or the death of a wider range of relatives will gain new statutory rights to time off work from April next year.
The entitlement will cover employees who lose a spouse, partner, parent, adult child or sibling, as well as step and half relatives and foster, kinship care and adoptive relationships.
Women and their partners who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, including miscarriage, termination or an unsuccessful IVF embryo transfer, will also be entitled to up to two weeks’ unpaid leave.
Parents already have a statutory right to leave following a stillbirth after 24 weeks or the death of a child under 18.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 established the new right to unpaid bereavement leave.
Work minister Kate Dearden said: “No-one should have to fight for time to grieve. These changes back people going through some of the hardest moments of life, whoever they are and wherever they work.
“I want to thank the campaigners whose courage and testimonies have made this change happen.”
Marianne McJannett, partner in employment law at Aberdein Considine LLP, said: “These changes are a welcome and long-overdue recognition of the profound impact that bereavement and pregnancy loss can have on employees and their families, regardless of the relationship involved or the stage of pregnancy at which a loss occurs.
“For employees, the new rights provide greater certainty and reassurance that they can take time away from work to grieve without...
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