Compassionate leave and bereavement leave

New and updated

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Bereaved partner's paternity leave policy

  We have added a new employee-friendly version of this policy alongside the existing standard version. The employee-friendly version uses a more employee-focused tone and style, allowing employers to choose the version that best reflects their culture and communication preferences.

• Type:

  Policies and procedures

  Parental bereavement leave policy

  We have added a new employee-friendly version of this policy alongside the existing standard version. The employee-friendly version uses a more employee-focused tone and style, allowing employers to choose the version that best reflects their culture and communication preferences.

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Parental bereavement pay

  Updated to reflect an increase in the rate of statutory parental bereavement pay from 5 April 2026, and an increase to the rate of Small Employers' Relief.

• Type:

  Quick reference

  Types of family leave

  Updated to include new details on bereaved partner's paternity leave.

• Type:

  Employment law guide

  Bereaved partner's paternity leave

  This guide explains the statutory right of employees to take up to 52 weeks' bereaved partner's paternity leave if a child's primary carer dies.

• Type:

  Letters and forms

  Form for employee to cancel or vary dates of bereaved partner's paternity leave

  Use our template form to enable an employee to cancel or vary a period of bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.

• Type:

  Letters and forms

  Letter to employee responding to notification of bereaved partner's paternity leave and confirming entitlement

  Use our template form where an employee provides notice of their entitlement and intention to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.

• Type:

  Letters and forms

  Form to record employee's informal or verbal notice to take bereaved partner's paternity leave

  Use our template form to record an employee’s informal or verbal notice to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.

• Type:

  Letters and forms

  Form for employee to provide notice of entitlement and intention to take bereaved partner's paternity leave

  Use our template form to enable employees to provide notice of their entitlement and intention to take bereaved partner’s paternity leave, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.

• Type:

  Letters and forms

  Letter to manager explaining bereaved partner's paternity leave

  Use our template letter to explain the right to bereaved partner’s paternity leave to managers, now that the Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026 have been published in final form. The new right will come into force on 6 April 2026.