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ARTICLE · 06 APRIL 2026

Supporting Bereaved Employees—getting Your Policy Right

A&O Shearman
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Bereavement leave is changing. With new rights coming into force from April 2026 and broader statutory entitlements expected in 2027, employers should act now to ensure their policies are fit for purpose.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Leanne McCleery
Leanne McCleery
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Bereavement leave is changing. With new rights coming into force from April 2026 and broader statutory entitlements expected in 2027, employers should act now to ensure their policies are fit for purpose.

Bereavement leave in the UK is set to shift significantly over the coming months, though these reforms have attracted relatively little attention. A new right to bereaved partner's paternity leave takes effect on April 6, 2026, offering up to 52 weeks' unpaid leave. More significantly, secondary legislation expected in 2027 will introduce a broader statutory right to bereavement leave following the death of a "loved one", critically extending protection to employees experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks for the first time. While these are unpaid entitlements, they represent a meaningful expansion of statutory protection.

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