Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Policy Template for UK Businesses
A parental bereavement leave policy covers the statutory right of bereaved parents to take time off work following the death of a child under 18, or a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Introduced by the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018 (known as Jack's Law), this right came into force in April 2020. Eligible employees are entitled to 2 weeks' leave and may qualify for Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP).
Who Needs This Policy?
All UK employers must provide parental bereavement leave. The right is a day-one right — no qualifying period of employment is needed for the leave itself (though 26 weeks' service is required for SPBP). It applies to parents, adopters, intended parents in surrogacy arrangements, partners of the child's parent, and certain foster parents and guardians who had a genuine relationship of care with the child.
What's Covered
This parental bereavement leave and pay policy template covers 11 key sections:
Purpose
This policy explains the statutory right to parental bereavement leave and pay introduced by the Parental Bereavement (L...
Scope
This policy applies to all employees of [your details] from their first day of employment. There is no minimum length of...
Policy Statement
[your details] will ensure that all eligible employees are able to take parental bereavement leave without fear of detri...
Entitlement to Parental Bereavement Leave
Eligible employees are entitled to 2 weeks of parental bereavement leave. This leave may be taken as: - A single block o...
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (SPBP)
Employees who have at least 26 weeks' continuous service with [your details] by the week before the child's death, and w...
Cancellation of Leave
If an employee has given notice to take parental bereavement leave but the leave has not yet started, they may cancel th...
Rights During Parental Bereavement Leave
During parental bereavement leave, the employee's contract of employment continues and they are entitled to the benefit ...
Additional Support
[your details] recognises that 2 weeks may not be sufficient for a bereaved parent and that grief has no set timeline. I...
Roles and Responsibilities
is responsible for: - Ensuring all employees are aware of their parental bereavement leave entitlements - Processing le...
Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside the following policies: - Maternity Leave Policy - Paternity Leave Policy - Adopti...
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes to parental bereavement leave legislation, statuto...
Legal Framework
This policy template is grounded in the following UK legislation and guidance:
- Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act 2018
- Parental Bereavement Leave Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/249)
- Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (General) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/233)
- Employment Rights Act 1996, ss.80EA-80EE
How Complaiance Helps
Our parental bereavement leave and pay policy goes beyond a generic template:
- Sensitive, clear wording appropriate for a deeply difficult subject
- Flexible booking options covering the two notice periods (within 56 days and within 56 weeks)
- SPBP entitlement guidance with current rates and eligibility criteria
- Cross-references to compassionate leave, annual leave, and counselling support provisions
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Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How much parental bereavement leave are employees entitled to?
Eligible employees are entitled to 2 weeks of parental bereavement leave, which can be taken as a single block of 2 weeks or as 2 separate weeks at different times within 56 weeks of the child's death. Leave taken within 56 days of the death requires no advance notice (just notification before the employee's start time). Leave taken after 56 days requires one week's notice.
Who qualifies for parental bereavement leave?
The right applies broadly to anyone with a parental relationship with the child, including: biological parents, adoptive parents, intended parents in surrogacy, the partner of the child's parent (living in an enduring family relationship), certain foster parents, legal guardians, and people with a court order giving them parental responsibility. It's a day-one right — no minimum service is required.
How much is Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay?
SPBP is £184.03 per week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower (2025/26 rate). To qualify, the employee must have at least 26 weeks' continuous service and earn at least the Lower Earnings Limit (£123 per week). Employees who don't qualify for SPBP are still entitled to the unpaid leave.