UK Family Right · 2026
What is UK Parental Bereavement Leave?
Statutory rights
Parental Bereavement Leave Act 2018 (in force April 2020); Parental Bereavement Leave Regulations 2020; 2 weeks per parent per child; can be split into 2 single weeks; flexible timing within 56 weeks of death; both biological and adoptive parents (and primary carers); covers stillbirth from 24 weeks and child death up to age 18.
How to exercise this right
1) Notify employer in writing as soon as practical (or as soon as you can). 2) Provide death certificate or stillbirth certificate (employer can request but must be reasonable). 3) Take 2 weeks together OR split into 2 separate weeks. 4) Within 56 weeks of the death. 5) Pay at statutory rate (or 90% of earnings if lower); recoverable by employer from HMRC. 6) Many UK employers offer enhanced compassionate leave above statutory — check contract. 7) Phased return support often helpful.
Employer obligations
Acknowledge notification with sensitivity; not require excessive evidence; pay statutory bereavement pay; preserve role; not discriminate against bereaved employees; offer EAP/counselling support; consider phased return; not pressure premature return.
If your employer refuses
Statutory right; refusal is breach of PBLA 2018; detriment is unlawful under ERA s.47C. ACAS conciliation; tribunal within 3 months. Bereavement-related dismissal could be automatically unfair.
Worked example
Priya's 4-year-old daughter died unexpectedly. She and her husband each took 2 weeks Parental Bereavement Leave initially, then both took the second week 8 months later for the anniversary and end of preschool year. Both employers paid full salary (above statutory) plus offered specialist bereavement counselling. The split-leave option allowed them to grieve in two phases — initial shock and longer-term anniversary support.
Recruiter pro tip
The split-leave option is a quietly important feature of UK Parental Bereavement Leave — most parents take all 2 weeks immediately, but splitting (1 week immediately + 1 week at the anniversary or another significant moment) can be more useful for some grief journeys. Within 56 weeks of death is the window. Reference the splitting right in your initial notification — it gives you flexibility you might want later.
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